Bafana Bafana beat Ethiopia 3-1 in their World Cup qualifier match, after goals from Teboho Mokoena, Mothobi Mvala and Evidence Makgopa, at the Bahir Dar International Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Hugo Broos made three changes to the team that beat Ghana, two of those injury-enforced, as Percy Tau and Thapelo Morena were not selected for these qualifiers.
Bafana had a chance in the opening minute of the game, but after a goalmouth flurry, Bongokuhle Hlongwane’s effort was deflected wide.The early momentum was with the South Africans, and Bafana went close again in the 9th minute, but Siyanda Xulu’s header went just wide.
Ethiopia’s first effort of the game, from Surafel Dagnachew just outside the box, flew over Ronwen Williams’ goal in the 11th minute, while he skied a good chance five minutes later. Mothobi Mvala’s header was off target in the 21st minute, while Dagnachew almost took advantage of a defensive blunder in the 26th minute, but Williams made a good save to deny his long range attempt.
Thabiso Kutumela fired just wide in the 32nd minute, but at the other end Williams had to make a terrific save in the 35th minutes to deny Abubeker Nasir from close range, and then had to do it again four minutes later as Ethiopia threatened.
Just before halftime Bafana took the lead when Ethiopian goalkeeper Fasil Gebremichael was unable to hold onto Teboho Mokoena’s free kick and dropped the ball and it crossed the line.
At the break thanks to three excellent Williams saves, and Mokoena’s goal, Bafana led 1-0.
Mokoena went close in the 52nd minute, but his effort from just inside the box hit the side-netting, while at the other end Dagnachew shot just wide of the goal three minutes later. The Ethiopians wanted a penalty in the 58th minute, but the referee wasn’t interested.
The home team were awarded a dangerous free kick in the 66th minute, just on the edge of the area, and their captain (and former Bidvest Wits and AmaTuks player) Getaneh Kebede’s shot left Williams rooted to the spot to bring Ethiopia level.
But Bafana were back in the lead in the 72nd minute as Mvala took advantage of ball-watching defenders and poked home from a flick on from a long throw.
Having only just been introduced Evidence Makgopa went close in the 80th minute, but his header struck the crossbar. Mokoena was on target in the 86th minute but was straight at Gebremichael in goal.
Substitute Yusuf Maart’s long range effort in stoppage time was saved, but Makgopa’s effort seconds later was not as the lanky striker raced onto a pass before lobbing Gebremichael to seal the victory.
The two teams will clash again on Tuesday, this time at the FNB Stadium. Ghana and Zimbabwe meet later today.
Here’s how they lined up:
South Africa XI: Williams (c), Mobbie, Mashego, Xulu, De Reuck, Mokoena (Zuke 94′), Brooks (Maart 79’), Mvala, Kutumela (Makgopa 79’), Hlongwane, Mabasa (Letsoalo 35’).
Ethiopia XI: F. Gebremichael, Tamene, Bayeh, Yusef, Tunjo, Endashaw, Dagnachew, Bekele, A. Gebremichael, Kebede (c), Nasir
