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Bafana Bafana secure a draw in a World cup qualifier against Zimbabwe

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Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos got off to a fair start in his first match in charge of Bafana Bafana. South Africa held Zimbabwe to a nil-all draw in Harare in their opening match of the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Bafana had already played a few matches after his appointment, but the Belgian mentor was not available for those fixtures.

A victory for Bafana Bafana would have been a perfect start for Hugo Broos in the World Cup qualifiers. But he will accept a draw away from home.

Although the Zimbabwean coach Zdravko Logarusic had been quoted as saying that he was faced with a serious fitness problem, his team did put up a strong line-up against a fairly inexperienced South African side.

It took some time for the home side to settle in but the visitors did not take advantage of the chances they got in the opening 10 minutes. After that attempt by Baroka’s Evidence Makgopa in the seventh minute, Supersport United star Teboho Mokoena launched a powerful strike from range.

Once Zimbabwe started to play good football, Bafana Bafana were constantly under pressure for the majority of the first half. In the 29th minute, Khama Billiat took a powerful shot that forced a save from Ronwen Williams. Two minutes later France based Marshall Munetsi, also tried his luck but his effort was off target.

It was a rather balanced second half. Both nations had numerous chances to register on the scoreboard. Bafana Bafana came close to an opener in the 66th minute, but Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s attempt was cleared off the line. 10 minutes later, Al Ahly forward Percy Tau went for a shot but it was saved.

In the closing stages, it was a balanced affair and the two sides could not be separated.

Bafana Bafana Squad

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