Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster and Uganda defender Abdu Aziizi Kayondo battle for the ball during their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Orlando Stadium. Bafana Bafana striker Lyle Foster and Uganda defender Abdu Aziizi Kayondo battle for the ball during their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Orlando Stadium. Picture: Phill Magakoe / AFP
Debutant Thalente Mbatha’s came off the bench to salvage a 2-2 draw in injury time for Bafana Bafana in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda at Orlando Stadium on Friday night.
After leading 1-0 at the break and looking comfortable, Bafana were rocked by two long-range Uganda goals in the 50th and 53rd minutes of the second half. The visitors then tried to keep things at the back, but Mbatha latched on to a loose ball in Uganda’s penalty to equalise and give Hugo Broos’ team a point.
The draw is not a train smash, but Bafana should have really wrapped up the match in the first half. They looked in a different class, with their press and control in midfield leading to a lot of possession and chances to score.
Bafana opened the scoring in the 13th minute after Lyle Foster slotted home from close range after Khuliso Mudau put in a wonderful through ball.
However, Foster, Oshwin Appollis and Ellias Mokwana all missed good chances in the first stanza that could have put the game to bed early on.
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⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Thalente Mbatha snatch an equalizer for Bafana Bafana!
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Uganda, however, made it 1-1 after Denis Omedi came up with an absolute cracker. While the Bafana defenders back-peddled, Omedi put his laces through the ball from outside the box to beat Veli Mothwa in the South African goal.
Three minutes later it was 2-1, Uganda taking a shock lead with another long-range effort. Mothwa, who is standing in for Bafana captain Ronwen Williams, looked like he had the ball covered. However, Rogers Mayo’s shot, from even further out, went through Mothwa’s gloves into the back of the net.
Bafana tried to hit back, and won a free kick in the 79th minute. Stand-in captain Teboho Mokoena’s effort then narrowly missed right, and it looked like it would be one of those nights for Bafana.
However, Orlando Pirates’ Mbatha would have the final say on his own home ground, with the 24-year-old’s shot deflected into the back of net after he pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area.
Bafana Bafana next face South Sudan on Tuesday in their second Group K match.
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