Bafana Bafana played to a thrilling 3-3 draw against North African giants Algeria in the FIFA series on Tuesday evening.
Thabang Monare was the sole survivor in the Bafana line-up from last Thursday’s 1-1 draw against Andorra, as Iqraam Rayners was named upfront.
Bafana were denied a dream start on four minutes through Oswin Appollis, whose effort came off the woodwork after some good work by Nyiko Mobbie.
As Bafana continued to fancy their chances, the host went ahead when a turnover high-up released Yassine Benzia into the box, where he calmly slotted into the bottom corner.
The Desert Foxes had matters firmly under control at the point and were very close to a second after a first-time shot off the outside of the boot from Mohamed Amoura flashed past the top corner.
Bafana kept the believe going and were rewarded ten minutes to halftime when Themba Zwane started a move from deep before storming in the box to tuck in the reverse pass.
Zwane haunted the host again on the cusp of halftime after he dummied one challenge on the right to cut-inside and curled in from the narrowest of angles with a neat left-footed finish.
Algeria put on a double change after the break in Ahmed Kendouci and Ramiz Zerrouki, while Bafana were unchanged.
The Desert Foxes got back on equal terms rather fortuitously as a stray pass from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams ended with Yacine Brahimi firing in from close-range.
Bafana looked to wrestle back control during the middle of the second stanza, as coach Hugo Broos introduced Grant Margeman for Monare and Elias Mokwana ahead of Appollis.
Mokwana, who impressed against Andorra, showed up inside the remaining 20 minutes when he tossed and turned wide of the box to nestle in the near post.
Algeria levelled in astounding fashion minutes later after Benzia took a deft touch from a loose pass in the box and volleyed in acrobatically.
The initiative up top was on the side of the host, but Bafana nearly regained with a scorcher by Teboho Mokwena though it was swiftly parried away.
Both teams pushed relentlessly for the winner in the dying seconds, but neither came close and had to settle for a draw.
Confirmed line-ups:
Algeria: Zeghba, Mandi, Madani, Guitoun, Ait Nouri, Aouar, Bentelab, Benzia, Amoura, Brahimi, Bounedjah
Subs: Hadjam, Benbot, Chaibi, Tougai, Zerrouki, Hadjmoussa, Atal, Kendouci, Bakrar, Mandrea, Benrahama, Belaid
South Africa: Williams, Kekana, Xulu, Mobbie, Modiba, Monare, Mokokena, Zwane, Mayambela, Appollis, Rayners
Subs: Bvuma, Goss, Mashego, Maswanganyi, Mayo, Margeman, Xoki, Mosele, Mokwana, Sibisi, Mbanjwa, Morena
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