Bafana Bafana sealed their spot in the COSAFA Cup final with a 3-1 victory over Comoros in the semi-finals on Friday evening.
Bafana named a single change from the goalless draw in midweek against Mauritius, as Orlando Pirates midfield kingpin Kabelo Dlamini returned in place of Vuyo Letlapa.
The host started strong and hit the front in the eight minute as a mis-timed clearance saw Idris Mohamed tuck the ball into his own net from Kamogelo Sebelebele's cross.
Bafana added to their lead six minutes later when Gape Moralo released forward Boitumelo Radiopane, who raced clear and fire in off the far post for his first goal of the campaign.
However, the Comoros didn’t lose hope and got one back on the half-hour mark as Ibrahim Madi cut in at the back-post of the area and drilled into the bottom-corner.
Buoyed by the goal, Comoros remained courageous and looked to draw level but found the host nation well-guarded in the defensive-third.
Instead, the home team nearly restored their two-goal cushion late in the half with a curler from the area by Dlamini, but it came off the base of the upright.
Dlamini didn’t come out for the second half and was replaced by Letlapa, whilst Masindi Nemtajela also came on and filled in for Mduduzi Shabalala.
Comoros continued to push forward in search of the equaliser, but struggled to get behind the host nation who defended deep.
On the other hand, Bafana pressed from the front 12 minutes from the break and were rewarded as Sebelebele pounced on a stray pass to fire in from close-range.
Coach Vela Khumalo made more changes minutes later – introducing Yanda Mfolozi in place of Puso Dithejane before Victor Letsoalo came on for Radiopane.
The Comoros seek to add another goal but were down to ten men in the last ten minutes when Naimoudine Assane sent after picking up a second yellow card.
Bafana contained the latter minutes of the clash and ended up with the win, which sealed a spot in the final against Angola on Sunday.