Bafana Bafana booked their place in the COSAFA Cup final following a 3-1 victory against Comoros in the semi-final in Bloemfontein on Friday.
South Africa were two goals to the good after just 14 minutes at the Toyota Stadium thanks to an eighth-minute own goal and a debut goal from Boitumelo Radiopane before Comoros pulled one back in the 29th minute but Kamogelo Sebelebele made the result safe with a second half strike.
Early pressure from Vela Khumalos’s team paid off as they forced Comoros into conceding an own goal through Idris Mohamed after eight minutes.
South Africa’s pressure makes all the difference
The second one arrived after a swift counter-attack that saw Orlando Pirates striker Radiopane net his maiden goal for the national team after being played in by Gape Moralo.
It was a well-worked goal as Moralo sent in a defence-splitting pass that Radiopane, who was on his bike, slotted home and fears of an offside on the Pirates striker were allayed when VAR allowed the goal to stand.
Bafana Bafana’s tenacity saw them score the third goal in some fortunate fashion in the 60th minute. With the Comoros defenders trying to play out from the back, South Africa’s press proved too much as Moralo won the ball on the edge of the box and passed to Sebelebele, who had an easy tap in.
Who and when will Bafana play in the final?
Twelve minutes from time, Comoros were reduced to 10 men when Naimoudine Assane was sent off for a second bookable offence, following an off the ball incident.
The midfielder made matters worse when he tried to prevent the referee from booking him although the damage was already done by then.
Victory sees Bafana Bafana set up a final with Angola on Sunday as they look to win a sixth title and a first one since 2021.
