Bongokuhle Hlongwane brace saves Bafana blushes 

Minnesota United forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane saved Bafana Bafana the blushes with a quick second-half brace as they beat Mozambique 2-1 in an international friendly on Thursday night at Mbombela Stadium.

Bafana had a bit of a subdued first half, with the visitors showing more intent than them. 

The game’s first real chance fell to Mozambique in the fourth minute when a stray pass fell onto the path of Mozambique’s Isac de Carvalho. But, with only Ronwen Williams to beat, Carvalho hit the upright. 

Two minutes later, Hlongwane couldn’t connect a Zakhele Lepasa cross. 

Rushine De Reuck then gifted the visitors in the 12^th minute when Nelson Divrassone intercepted his back pass back to Williams. 

The Mozambique number 7 made no mistake from close range as he beat Williams to give the Mambas the lead. 

Until then, Bafana had yet to get a grip on the game. While they had a fair share of possession, they barely got the ball to the final third. 

In the 25^th minute, Hlongwane’s beautiful cross was blocked. The 22-year-old winger continued to stand out but could not help level terms. 

FIRE SECOND HALF BY BAFANA

The second half took a different direction as the hosts returned with more intent. They dominated possession and started making forays upfront. 

The Pietermaritzburg-born star got the opening goal in the 57^th minute off a Nyiko Mobbie cross.

Two minutes later, Themba Zwane set him up, and he made it 2-1. After that, Bafana created several chances but could not convert.

n the 84^th minute, the goalkeeper saved Teboho Mokoena’s close-range shot.

Bafana coach Hugo Broos will be a happy man after indicating that he wanted to win both international friendly matches against Mozambique and Angola.

South Africa will now play Angola at the same venue on Sunday afternoon.

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