Staff Reporter.
South Africa played to a disappointing 0-0 draw with minnows Eswatini in an international friendly played at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on Friday night.
As a result, Bafana extended their unbeaten run to four matches across all competitions and they will now travel to Abidjan where they are scheduled to face Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
Eswatini, on the other hand, extended their winless run to four games across all competitions and they are set to lock horns with Botswana in Lobatse on Monday.
Bafana Bafana controlled the match from the first whistle with Mihlali Mayambela looking lively and Sihlangu Semnikati were happy to sit back and launch quick counterattacks.
Mayambela set up Themba Zwane who was denied by goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala from close range in the fifth minute following a quick move by the hosts.
The Aris Limassol star then combined with Khanyisa Mayo who unleashed a low shot which was well saved by Shabalala in the 27th minute and the score was 0-0 at halftime.
Bafana applied pressure on the visitors’ defence after the restart and substitutes Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Mduduzi Mdantsane failed to score from close range in the 64th minute.
Sihlangu Semnikati then stood firm at the back and they launched a few chances in the latter stages of the game, but they couldn’t beat keeper Veli Mothwa and the match ended in a 0-0 draw.