Hugo Broos's experimental Bafana Bafana side delivered an impressive performance, securing a 2-0 victory over Mozambique in an international friendly at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
This fixture saw a completely overhauled starting XI from Friday's match against Tanzania, providing valuable international experience for several rising talents.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Samukele Kabini, and Yanela Mbuthuma were all handed their senior debuts, signaling a promising future for South African football.
Throughout the first half, Bafana dominated proceedings, creating a flurry of attacking opportunities. Mozambique's goalkeeper, Ivane Urrubal, was the standout player for his team, making an astonishing series of saves to keep the score level.
He denied Mohau Nkota's close-range effort, charged out to thwart Relebohile Mofokeng in a one-on-one, and impressively blocked a point-blank shot from Sinoxolo Kwayiba.
Mofokeng continued to test Urrubal, but the Mambas' shot-stopper remained resolute, parrying another powerful strike for a corner-kick just minutes before the break.
KWAYIBA BROKE DEADLOCK IN EARLY STAGES OF SECOND HALF
The second half saw Bafana Bafana's persistence finally pay off. Barely a minute after the restart, Sinoxolo Kwayiba broke the deadlock, heading home a precise corner from Mohau Nkota.
The home side maintained their attacking impetus, with Nkota nearly adding a second goal himself, only to be denied by another sharp save from Urrubal.
As the match progressed, Broos made further substitutions, bringing on goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner, Oswin Appollis, and Ashley Cupido.
It was substitute Ashley Cupido who sealed the victory in the last 20 minutes, demonstrating excellent composure to pounce on a cross-field pass from Nkota and fire a brilliant shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.
While Mozambique managed a late threat through a glancing header from Shaquille, Leaner was on hand to make a superb outstretched save, ensuring Bafana Bafana closed out the match as comfortable 2-0 victors.
