Johannesburg – Bafana Bafana finally turned in a crowd-pleasing display to inflict a 1-0 defeat over Senegal’s Lions of Teranga in the Nelson Mandela Challenge clash at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday evening.
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The win, coming in the 22nd edition of the NM Challenge, was South Africa’s first over Senegal since readmission to international competition in 1992, and the Nelson Mandela Challenge trophy will remain in the country after Bafana retained it by defeating Cote d’Ivoire 2-0 in 2014.
The only goal of the match was scored by 29-year-old Bafana debutant Mpho Makola, 11 minutes from the end.
The Senegalese held the initiative at the outset when they were content to hold onto the ball without looking to penetrate the opposition’s defensive lines. Bafana was forced onto a largely defensive role as they tried to undo the visitors’ grip in the early stages of the match.
From around the 13th minute onwards, Bafana Bafana started imposing themselves on the match by pulling off several sorties deep into Senegal’s half. Cheick N’Diaye, Senegal’s goalkeeper, was soon brought into play although Bafana Bafana was hardly threatening initially.
However, midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi in tandem with striker Thamsanqa Gabuza struck up a fine understanding around the fringes of the Senegalese penalty area but they were kept in check by a workmanlike Senegalese rear guard.
Source:iol.co.za
