The debutant, Mpho Makola scored a stunning goal to give Bafana Bafana a much needed win over Senegal in the Nelson Mandela Challenge at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night. This comes after the AFCON qualifier disappointment against Mauritania at the weekend.
The Orlando Pirates midfielder scored in the 78th minute to break the deadlock. Bafana Bafana could have scored a handful of goals but spurned some good chances through Sibusiso Vilakazi and Thamsanqa Gabuza.
Having made as much as seven changes to the team that lost 3-1 to Mauritania over the weekend, the Bafana Bafana started the match a bit timid.
For most of the opening minutes, the game got bogged down in the middle of the pitch with very little opening from the two sides.
Bafana Bafana grew confident as the game progressed resulting in Senegal committing unnecessary fouls in dangerous position. Bafana Bafana were awarded a free kick just outside the box but Mpho Makola’s effort went narrowly wide after clearing the wall.
Few moments later, Itumeleng Khune had to be alert, producing a one-handed save to tip Diafra Sakho’s curling effort over the bar.
Senegal started attacking from Bafana Bafana’s right hand side resulting in coach, Shakes Mashaba substituting Daylon Claasen with Jabulani Shongwe before half-time in an attempt to close the loophole.
Thamsanqa Gabuza hit the upright in the 43rd minute after being released by a brilliant pass from Vilakazi..
At the stroke of half-time, Gabuza’s well taken shot was saved by the Senegalese keeper, Khadim N’Diaye to keep the score line goalless at half-time.
Bafana Bafana came out of the dressing room firing with Andile Jali’s shot turned away for a corner by Ndiaye and from the resultant corner kick Senegal defence cleared the danger.
Vilakazi had arguably the best chance of the match, one on one with the keeper, he shot wide. He was immediately substituted by Thulani Serero.
Makola, who was attempting to shoot from distance the whole match, broke the deadlock with a curling shot from just outside the box in the 78th minute to make it 1-0.
Senegal could have equalised in the last tem minutes but Khune produced two great save to keep Bafana Bafana in the lead..
Makola had a chance to complete his double in the six minutes of added time but his effort was cleared off the line.
