Staff Reporter.
South Africa got their 2022 World Cup Qualifying Group G campaign off to a solid start by holding hosts Zimbabwe to a 0-0 draw at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
In a match which saw the Warriors enjoy more of the ball, Bafana Bafana had the better scoring opportunities and new coach Huge Broos will see this result and performance as something to build on moving forward.
The 69-year-old tactician adopted a cautious approach with Evidence Makgopa starting upfront as a lone striker, while Teboho Mokoena and Mothobi Mvala were deployed as holding midfielders.
Bafana Bafana created the first chance eight minutes into the match, with a routine corner kick finding Evidence Makgopa free in the penalty area, but the striker was unable to direct a header on target.
Teboho Mokoena almost netted a spectacular long-range strike in the 17th minute, but Zimbabwe goalkeeper Talbert Shumba made an outstanding one-handed save to turn the effort away for a corner kick.
Around the half-hour mark Zimbabwe began to build some pressure in attack, with Khama Billiat seeing his powerful drive turned behind for a corner kick by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
South Africa made a tactical switch at the start of the second half, replacing Gift Links with Bongokuhle Hlongwane in an effort to bring more creativity to their play.
And the substitute very nearly broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark, making a powerful run down the right flank before unleashing a powerful low shot which squeezed past Shumba but was cleared off the line by Takudzwa Chimwemwe.
Having had a quiet game by his own standards, Percy Tau had a chance to snatch a late-winning goal for the visitors, but his effort was comfortably saved by a well-positioned Shumba.
It proved to be the last real chance of the Southern African Derby and the encounter ended in a 0-0 draw on the day.
South Africa will be back in Group G action on Monday, 6 September with a home match against Ghana at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, while Zimbabwe will travel to face Ethiopia at Bahir Dar Stadium the following day.
Zimbabwe: Shumba, Chimwemwe, Munetsi, Lunga, Bhasera, Kamusoko, Mudimu, Billiat, Musona, Mahachi (T. Rusike 58’), Kadewere (Dzvukamanja 58’)
South Africa: Williams, Morena, Xulu, De Reuck, Mobbie, Links (Hlongwane 46’), Mokoena, Mvala, Singh (Letsoalo 73’), Makgopa, Tau (Mbule 78’).
Meanwhile Mozambique held Ivory Coast to a 0-0 draw in their opening 2022 Fifa World Cup qualification Group D match at the Estadio Nacional do Zimpeto on Friday afternoon.
The Mambas will now take on Malawi away in their second Group D match on Tuesday, while the Elephants are scheduled to host Cameroon on Monday.