Bafana Bafana managed to hold Africa Cup of Nations host Ivory Coast to a 1-1 draw in their international friendly on Tuesday evening.
Captain Ronwen Williams returned from Bafana's goalless draw against Eswatini, while Mothobi Mvala, Siphelelo Sithole, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Lebo Mothiba were also restored to the starting line-up.
Bafana needed just ten minutes to go ahead as Mamelodi Sundowns' Themba Zwane robbed possession off a high-press and combined with club-mate Teboho Mokoena to finish off the reverse pass.
The Elephants were given a rude awakening after falling behind so early in the contest and looked to star figures Wilfred Zaha and Sebastien Haller to aid inspire a comeback.
Ivory Coast kept piling the pressure ahead of the half-hour mark and let Seko Fofana to surge forward to a clever position before going over the top, while an error from Mvala gifted Haller the perfect chance but the Borussia Dortmund striker saw his shot hit the upright.
The Elephants ended the first half with more of the possession but they were unable to seriously trouble Williams between the sticks.
The home side continued to have the momentum largely in forward areas following the resumption of the second half, but Bafana should have doubled their lead seven minutes when Mudau was slipped through on goal but the full-back dragged his effort wide.
At the other end, Bafana looked to cause the host issues of their own as Hlongwane got space to work a bit of magic area but nothing worthwhile showed to leave matters in the balance.
The Elephants were rewarded for their persistence midway through the second half when Haller rose on the end a floated cross from the right and headed in from close-range.
With Burnley forward Lyle Foster and Sandile Mthethwa on for the visitors, the Elephants continued to dominate but were unable to find a second goal as the encounter ended all square.
Confirmed line-ups:
Ivory Coast: Yahia Fofana, Ndicka, Diomande, Konan, Singo, Kessie, Sangare, Seko Fofana, Bamba, Zaha, Haller
Subs: Folly, Sangare, Kossonou, Sylla, Boly, Konate, Seri, Kouame, Krasso, Adingra, Diakite, Traore
Bafana Bafana: Williams, Mudau, Xulu, Mvala, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Zwane, Mayambela, Hlongwane, Mothiba
Subs: Goss, Mothwa, Mobbie, Sibisi, Blom, Mayo, Foster, Kekana, Mthethwa, Mdantsane, Mako
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.