It wasn’t pretty, but Bafana Bafana made it three wins in a row, as they beat Ethiopia 1-0 in their Group G World Cup qualifier at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening.
For the first time since March 2020, fans were attendance for the game, as tickets were given out to 2000 vaccinated supporters.
Bafana took the lead in just the 11th minute, as Ethiopia’s defence failed to deal with Victor Letsoalo’s header from a corner, and it was deflected in by Getaneh Kebede.
Mesud Mohammed’s long range effort in the 17th minute just flew over Ronwen Williams’ goal, and Williams was in the right place two minutes later to stop Kebede’s effort from close range.
Kebede went close again in the 25th minute, but this time his shot on the turn went just wide, while Letsoalo had a great chance in the 29th minute, but blasted over from in front of goal, after good work by Bongokuhle Hlongwane down the right.
Williams was called into action in the 39th minute to make a good save from Surafel Dagnachew. and when the half-time whistle blew, it remained 1-0 to Bafana.
Dagnachew’s free kick five minutes into the second half couldn’t get past the wall, while his effort in the 54th minute was always off target. Evidence Makgopa went close for Bafana a minute later, but after getting to a good cross, his final effort was cleared off the line by Suteman Hamid.
Kebede’s effort in the 68th minute was high and wide.
Hlongwane thought he had a penalty in the 75th minute, but the referee waved play on, while Williams got lucky in the 80th minute as Abubeker Nasir blocked his attempted clearance, but it went behind.
Hlongwane was wayward in the 84th minute, while at the other end an unmarked Abel Yalew shot over a minute later.
While Ethiopia pushed for a goal, Bafana controlled the final minutes to get the victory, a result that eliminates Ethiopia from the race.
Here is how they line up:
South Africa XI: Williams, Mobbie, Mashego, Xulu, De Reuck, Ngcobo, Maart (Brooks 74’), Mokoena (Zuke 65’), Hlongwane, Letsoalo (Kutumela 82’), Makgopa
Ethiopia XI: Gebremichael, Tamene, Belay, Mohammed, Mengestu, Mohammed, Mussa, Gebkemmed, Gibeto, Ahmed, Godo
