By Michael Madyira
Bafana Bafana picked themselves up in the Cosafa Cup with a 2-1 comeback victory over Botswana at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.
After falling behind to Thatayaone Kgamanyane’s 63rd-minute goal, South Africa hit back from the penalty spot through Iqraam Rayners on 66 minutes before Shaune Mogaila completed the victory a minute later.
It was a recovery by Bafana who had dropped points in their Group A opener following a 1-1 draw with Namibia on Wednesday.
This time around, they took advantage of Botswana being a man down after Tebogo Kopelang was red-carded in the 64th minute.
The tournament hosts’ standing in Group A will now depend on the result between Eswatini and Namibia.
Bafana coach Morena Ramoreboli made chances upfront, starting Rayners, Tshegofatso Mabasa and Rowan Human who all came off the bench the last time out.
Starting defender Goitseone Legopelo was the only change made by Botswana coach Mogomotse Mpote.
South Africa almost went ahead when Rayners forced a desperate dive from Botswana goalkeeper Lizo Skweyiya with a powerful drive from outside the box on 24 minutes.
Mabasa then failed to capitalise on a defensive blunder by the Zebra’s defence and shot off target while facing a yawning goal with four minutes to halftime.
The second half started with no team posing a real threat to the other.
But Botswana then took the lead when former Chippa United forward Kgamanyane took advantage of some shambolic defending to beat Jethren Barr in goals for Bafana.
Soon after, Bafana was handed an opportunity to claw their way back into the match when they were awarded a penalty after Kopelang pulled down substitute Victor Letsoalo inside the box.
The incident earned Kopelang a straight red card and up-stepped Rayners to beat Skweyiya from the penalty spot.
It was an eventful moment as South Africa then immediately went ahead when Mogaila finished off Letsoalo’s feed.
Things were now shaping up for Bafana who had Human come one-on-one with Skweyiya but was denied by the Botswana keeper.
Ramoreboli’s men could have put the contest to bed with two minutes remaining but substitute Lesego Sebetlela arrived late to finish a cross by captain Lyle Lakay while facing an empty net.
Pictured above: Botswana captain Benson Mangolo closely tracking Shaune Mogaila of Bafana Bafana
Image source: Cosafa
