South Africa’s Bafana Bafana Tuesday had a good send-off for the 2025 AFCON with a 1-0 victory over Ghana’s Black Galaxies at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.
The AFCON-bound hosts faced Ghana’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) side, consisting of players based in the country as it prepares for CHAN qualifying.
Coach Hugo Broos opted to leave many of his regular starters on the bench, including usual captain Ronwen Williams, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Oswin Appolis, Khuliso Mudau and Teboho Mokoena.
Orlando Pirates’ Nkosinathi Sibisi donned the captain’s armband for a second time, while Thabang Matuludi was given his first start in national-team colours.
Evidence Makgopa used his strength and control well in the Ghanaian box in the 9th minute, finding Tshepang Moremi, but the Buccaneer could not find the goal from a tough angle.
In the 11th minute, Sipho Mbule nearly put the hosts ahead from Mohau Nkota’s free kick, but his header travelled narrowly wide of the goal posts.
Bafana Bafana broke into the Ghanaian box in the 22nd minute through Moremi, who attempted to pull the ball back for Nkota. The winger could not reach it and Mbule’s clean-up effort travelled wide.
Moremi produced a moment of magic on the edge of the area in the 40th minute, dancing past three defenders, but he could not find the back of the net.
After a goalless first half, the hosts came out with intent in the second half.
In the 53rd minute, substitute Teboho Mokoena’s well struck long range effort flew over the bar.
Mbule broke the deadlock in the 57th minute with a well placed strike from the edge of the box, beating Ghanaian goalkeeper Lawrence Osei.
