Bafana Bafana played to a one-all (1-1) draw against Ghana in a practice-training match held at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng near Rustenburg. The clash took place on Sunday, 15 January 2012.
This was South Africa's third match of the year, following draws against Equatorial Guinea (6 January) and Zambia (11 January).
Bafana Bafana were the first to open the scoring in the seventh minute from a Thami Sangweni strike that caught Adam Kwarasek, in the Ghana goals, by surprise.
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| Ryan Chapman |
Ghana replied almost immediately and leveled matters just five minutes later through a Sulley Muntari header. The visitors had the ball in the back of the net in the dying minutes of the game, but their effort was ruled offside.
"It was a good training session for us which we used to assess our players that is why we played all of them. South Africa gave us the kind of practice we needed and our boys did what we expected of them, and we know we need to polish some areas. South Africa has a very good team and the match helped us see how far we have come with our preparations," said Ghana assistant coach James Kwasi Appiah.
Despite The Black Stars using most of their players, the inexperienced Bafana Bafana players held on for a draw.
"It was a difficult match for my young players but we got what we wanted out this exercise. I had patriotic troops and we never dropped the South African in all the three matches we have played up to this point. I gave the boys an opportunity and they did not disappoint, what a brilliant side we have. We wanted a win but we were playing one of the top sides on the continent and we can safely say we did well against them. We have a big and pool of players we can call upon when needed and I am happy with their performance," said Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane.
"These boys surprised many who had written us off long before the match started," added the head coach.
Mosimane used all but one player, goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshana, while Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Nazeer Allie and Thato Mokeke were not available due to injuries.
Here's how they lined up.
South Africa:
Brilliant Khuzwayo, Thabo Nthethe (C), Gilbert Rudiger, Ayanda Gcaba, Wayne Arendse, Thami Sangweni (Lehlohonolo Masalesa, 87th), Mzikayise Mashaba (George Lebese, 55th), Granwald Scott (Eric Mathoho, 90th), George Maluleka (Sibusiso Vilakazi, 65th), Ryan Chapman (Nhlanhla Vilakazi, 73th), Siyabonga Nontshinga (Lehlohonolo Majoro, 46th; Patrick Phungwayo, 91st)
Ghana: Adam Kwarasey, John Paintsil, Masahudu Al Hassen, John Boye, John Mensah, Derek Boateng, Agyemang Badu, Samuel Inkoom, Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew and Jordan Ayew.
Source: Safa.net
Tags: Bafana, Ghana, South Africa vs Ghana, bafana friendly match
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