Bafana braced for Mozambique clash after draw with Zambia

BAFANA Bafana warmed up for tomorrow's semi-finals with a 0-0 draw against Zambia in their final Cosafa Cup Group A match at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium yesterday.

The outcome meant South Africa completed their Group A assignments undefeated and will play Group B runners-up Mozambique in tomorrow's first semi-final.

In tomorrow's later semi-final, the Group B winners Senegal will go up against Eswatini, the Group A runners-up.

SA, after four matches, have yet to concede a goal and it has been a long time since Bafana have enjoyed a run of four matches without defeat at a tournament. They are the only team at the tournament yet to concede a goal.

In the first half both sides spurned goalscoring chances. Zambia, with 56% possesion, had the better opportunities. Their midfielder Salulani Phiri, who plies his trade for Polokwane City, was fractionally wide with a header after he outjumped the central defence on the stroke of half-time.

Zambia, the defending champions, managed eight shots on goal, but only half of those were on target. Bafana managed one shot on target after five attempts.

Bafana produced a lively start and forced three corners in the opening 12 minutes. They were penetrative early on, especially down the left flank but failed to bring their front-runners into the picture.

As the half wore on, Zambia managed several sorties deep into Bafana's half but failed to create clear-cut chances.

In the first half, Bafana's goalkeeper Lincoln Vyver did well to bring off four excellent saves, against one from his opposite number Kennedy Mweene, who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns.

At the start of the second half, Mweene made way for Gregory Sanjase. Bafana brought on striker Masilake Phohlongo for Monnapule Saleng.

Zambia continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession and produced several wellworked moves, but they were checked around the fringes of the opposition goalmouth.

Around the hour mark, both teams made a raft of changes, but it failed to break the stalemate.

The fresh legs certainly helped speed up play, but both sets of defences kept their lines intact when the referee blew the final whistle.