Bafana Bafana played out to an entertaining 0-0 draw against Guinea at the Guldensporen Stadion in their first of two international friendlies in Europe.
Hugo Broos experimented with his line-up against the West Africans with Khuliso Mudau and Bandile Shandu both making their senior international debuts out of the right-flank.
And they were impressive in the opening half with Bafana having 10 shots at goal with six on target, the best of which fell to Lyle Foster and Keagan Dolly – who, if they converted, could have put Bafana in a 3-0 goal lead.
However, for all their clear-cut opportunities, the Guineans, who were without Naby Keita, threatened with their set-pieces as Bafana struggled to cope with the physicality at times.
The second-half proved more of the same, as South Africa in their 4-4-2 formation cut through the Kaba Diawara’s sides’ defence on numerous occasions.
Bandile Shandu on the hour mark had the pick of the bunch amongst another four chances but his effort trickled just wide of the post.
For the game that was billed for opportunities, 20-year-old Stellenbosch defender Athenkosi Mcaba received his debut too in an evening that could be seen a positive for South Africa.
The only issue would have been Terrence Mashego limping off with an injury late on, which saw Mamelodi Sundowns star Lyle Lakay earn only his second cap for the national team.
South Africa will now take on world champions France in Lille on Tuesday in front of a sold-out Stade Pierre Mauroy.
