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 12th 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 25th 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 57th 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 84th 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.