By Sibusiso Masilela
South Africa……………(0)0,
Eswatini………………… (0)0,
There is a glimmer of hope for Sihlangu ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November.
This is after the nation’s pride held on neighbours Bafana Bafana to a goalless draw in an international friendly match played at FNB Stadium on Friday evening.
The match helped the two countries prepare for the upcoming global showpiece qualifiers starting from November.
The Dominic Kunene charges showed little respect for the star-studded opponents with their never-say-die attitude.
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Kunene maintained the majority of the team that recently faced Burkina Faso in the last 2023 AFCON qualifier with international player Justice Figareido being the notable absentee from the team that played a goalless draw in Marrakesh.
Coming to the match, South Africa poised an early threat in the first half with Burnley striker Lyle Foster harassing the Sihlangu defence in the 26th minute but his shot went wide.
The home side forced a fine save from Sihlangu goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala two minutes later through Cape Town City striker Khanyisa Mayo’s effort.
Sihlangu’s first real chance came in the 39th minute when Mxolisi Mkhonto failed to finish off a cross from the right flank, firing agonizingly wide.
The Green Mamba talisman wasted another opportunity three minutes before the breather as he fired his effort wide from a pass from his teammate Njabulo Magagula.
Sihlangu had a better start during the second stanza with Mxolisi being the main culprit in front of goals as fluffed another opportunity from a Bongwa Matsebula cross two minutes into the restart.
The home side was not sleeping as ex-Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Njabulo Bloem tested Khanyakwezwe Shabalala with a fine effort inside the box before the hour mark.
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Sihlangu coach Dominic Kunene made a few changes deep into this stanza by bringing in Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini and Sizolwethu ‘ Nunu’ Shabalala for Philani Mkhonto and Njabulo Magagula respectively.
The change nearly paid dividend within referee three minutes of added time when Shabalala nearly snatched the winner when his shot after a well-placed Bongwa ‘Owa’ Matsebula pass was blocked by Orlando Pirates defender Nkosinathi Sibisi for a fruitless corner.
The two neighbours eventually shared spoils with a barren stalemate in front of a small crowd at the 2010 World Cup iconic venue.
The Hugo Bross-led side will take on Ivory Coast in their next friendly match on Tuesday in Abidjan while Sihlangu is set to face Botswana in Lobatse.
The teams:
Bafana Bafana:
Veli Mothwa, Nyiko Mobbi, Aubrey Modiba, Siyanda Xulu, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Teboho Mokeona, Njabulo Bloem, Khanyisa Mayo, Mihlali Mayambela, Themba Zwane, Lyle Foster
Sihlangu:
Khanyakwezwe Shabalala, Mcolisi Manana, Samkelo Ginindza, Kwakhe Tfwala, Sibongakonkhe Silenge, Mzwandile Mabelesa, Philani Mkhonto (Neliswa Dlamini), Sifiso Matse, Mxolisi Mkhonto, Njabulo Magagula (Sizolwethu Shabalala) Bongwa Matsebula
