Bafana Bafana registered a 1-1 draw against Algeria in their African Nations Championship (CHAN) opener on Friday afternoon.
Bafana gave starts to Kegan Johannes, Wayde Jooste, Terrence Mashego, Thabiso Kutumela, Menzi Masuku, Neo Maema, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo.
It was a difficult opening though which needed the sharp reflexes between the sticks of goalkeeper Samukelo Xulu and keep the scores level.
The opening goal arrived for the Desert Foxes on the half-hour mark when Abdennour Belhocni picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and volleyed in at the first-time of asking.
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Ndlondlo attempted to draw a response with a snap shot from the area, but he sent his effort over the crossbar.
Bafana levelled matters a minute to halftime when a lofted pass to the area from Malibongwe Khoza found Masuku, who laid it off for Kutumela to find the bottom-corner.
Molefi Ntseki’s charges continued to find the going tough after the break, as they needed a fine one-hand save from Xulu to keep out Aymen Mahious' volley at the far post.
Having made the opening, Belhocni looked to restore their advantage a little later through a free-kick outside the area though his effort sailed over target.
Ntseki made a change of personnel in the midway stages – removing Johannes for Fortune Makaringe while he sacrificed Masuku to bring on Keagan Dolly.
Algeria enjoyed the lion share of chances inside the final minutes, with Mahious in particular firing blanks following a succession of deliveries but there was no second goal as the two nations were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.
Photo by Charle Lombard/South Africa