Bafana Bafana were unable to register back-to-backs wins at the Africa Nations Championship following a goalless draw with Niger in Group C on Friday evening.
Tebogo Tlolane, Harold Majadibou, Kegan Johannes were recalled by Bafana and replaced Menzi Masuku, Kwanda Mngonyama and Terrence Mashego.
Majadibou got stuck in a little over ten minutes and drew a foul in the area to win a penalty, but it was the penalty decision was overturned after a check from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
The disappointment didn’t unsettle the South Africans, who knew when to change their point of attack, play deep and stretchered the counterparts.
Goalkeeper Mahamadou Tanja proved the difference for the Menas on the stroke of halftime and made a point-blank save in quick succession to deny Thabiso Kutumela and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo.
Bafana maintained their dominant spell and went close to taking the lead when a fiercely struck shot by Keagan Dolly drew a strong save from Tanja.
The Menas launched a telling threat ten minutes in when Salifou Samaila raced out wide to get a shot in from a tight angle, but he snapped wide.
Ntseki’s men still enjoyed the better of the openings later on through Kutumela, Dolly, Ndlondlo, Wayde Jooste and captain Neo Maema.
Niger nearly had the lead towards the final ten minutes when a header by Mohamed Abdouramane hit the upright with Xulu in no man’s land.
The inability up top forced Bafana to look to the bench and threw on Zakhele Lepasa for Maema and Masuku in place of Majadibou.
However, the changes didn’t yield the desired impact as the Mena held their own to bag their first point of the tournament.
Image: CAF Online
Confirmed line-ups:
South Africa: Xulu, Mphahlele, Khoza, Johannes, Jooste, Kutumela, Ndlondlo, Maema, Tlolane, Majadibodu, Dolly
Subs: Thuntshane, Nkosi, Mashinini, Molaoa, Masuku, Lepasa, Dlambewu, Makaringe, Mbanjwa, Masiya