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Bafana left frustrated by minnows Andorra

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ANNABA, ALGERIA - MARCH 21: Mlondi Mbanjwa of South Africa is challenged by Moro Joan Cervos of Andorra during the FIFA Series 2024 Algeria match between Andorra and South Africa at Stade 19 Mai 1956 on March 21, 2024 in Annaba, Algeria. (Photo by Richard Pelham - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
ANNABA, ALGERIA - MARCH 21: Mlondi Mbanjwa of South Africa is challenged by Moro Joan Cervos of Andorra during the FIFA Series 2024 Algeria match between Andorra and South Africa at Stade 19 Mai 1956 on March 21, 2024 in Annaba, Algeria. (Photo by Richard Pelham - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Bafana Bafana and 164th-ranked Andorra played to a 1-1 draw on Thursday night.

Hugo Broos gave debuts to Elias Mokwana, Tapelo Xoki, Mlondi Mbanjwa and Patrick Maswanganyi, while Nkosinathi Sibisi and Thapelo Morena were the only survivors from their last match against the Democratic Republic Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Andorra stunned Bafana on six minutes when goalkeeper Ricardo Goss failed to control a back-pass and Ricardo Fernandez Betriu sneaked in for the simplest of finishes.

Bafana started to up the tempo and launched another threat minutes later when a first-time shot outside the area by Morena drew a reaction save off Josep Gomes.

The European side were forced to make a change a little past the 20th minute and saw Eric de Pablos come on for the injured Jordi Alaez.

Debutant Mokwana clawed the South Africans level at the midway point after he cut in from the of the area and arrowed in the far post from an acute angle via a deflection. 

Bafana coach Hugo Broos refreshed the playing personnel following the break and introduced Grant Margeman in place of Thabang Monare.

Orlando Pirates star Maswanganyi received a decent chance to put the African nation ahead when he fired in a half-volley in the area, but Gomes dealt with it at the near post.

Broos’ men continued to press forward shortly inside resumption before the Belgian withdraw Morena for Nyiko Mobbie as well as Terrence Mashego for Aubrey Modiba.

Maswanganyi had a chance for a debut goal too around the closing quarter after meeting Mokwana’s clever cross, but Gomes applied a dramatic last-ditch save.

Bafana didn’t gave up hope though kept pushing for the winner, but the European side sat deep and forced the match to finish all square.

Confirmed line-ups:

South Africa: Goss, Mokwana, Sibisi, Xoki, Mashego, Monare, Mosele, Morena, Maswanganyi, Mbanjwa, Mayo.

Subs: Bvuma, Mobbie, Xulu, Modiba, Kekana, Mokoena, Zwane, Margeman,  Appollis, Mayambela, Rayners

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