Bafana Bafana’s CHAN squad drew 1-1 with Egypt in their CHAN2024 qualifier at the Free State Stadium on Sunday evening.
It was a makeshift side that took the field, with the qualifiers not falling during FIFA international windows, and with former Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki enlisted to lead the team.
It was a similar situation for the Egyptian coach Wael Alaaeldin Reyad’s selection, with a squad made up of players from some of the country’s less glamorous and second division clubs, though not a U20 team as had been earlier reported, with only two players under 25 included in the squad.
After a slow start as the teams measured each other up, it was South Africa with the first real chance in anger, but Monnapule Saleng’s twelfth-minute effort took a deflection and flew over. Samukelo Xulu made a comfortable save at the other end a few moments later.
The South Africans were beginning to create a few opportunities, but shots were limited. Saleng shot over in the 38th minute, while two minutes later Neo Maema’s long-range attempt needed a good save.
At the break, it remained goalless.
Mostafa Ali went close with a header for the Egyptians four minutes into the second half as the visitors enjoyed an attacking period, looking for an away goal. But the Bafana defence stood fast.
Saleng continued to be a danger and drew a save from Mahmoud Aboul Saoud in the 53rd minute.
Tendamudzimu Matodzi had the ball in the back of the net in the 57th minute as he rose to head in Saleng’s cross, but the SuperSport United forward was in an offside position. Jamie Webber’s attempt four minutes later was always going off target.
But it was Egypt who went in front as Arab Contractors forward Mohamed Antar fired in an unstoppable effort from the edge of the area in the 66th minute.
South Africa pushed to get back into it, but it was another incredible strike to level matters, as Webber, who is set to move to the USA, fired in a powerful long-range shot to make it 1-1 in the 79th minute.
Aden McCarthy, son of former Bafana defender Fabian McCarthy, headed over in stoppage time as Ntseki’s team pushed for a late winner on the day, but time was not on their side, and it ended 1-1 when the final whistle blew.
The second leg will be played in four days time in Egypt.
The CHAN2024 finals will be played later this year in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
