South Africa got their Cosafa Cup campaign off to a slow start with a 1-1 draw against Mozambique at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Bafana Bafana opened the scoring via Rushwin Dortley and led 1-0 at the break, but the Mambas hit back 20 minutes into the second half via Chamito Alfandega to secure a share of the spoils.South Africa started strongly and were inches away from claiming the lead in the third minute – Devin Titus whipped in a fine cross from the right flank to pick out Asenele Velebayi at the back post, but the Cape Town Spurs player saw his header rebound off the woodwork.
And the Mambas almost went ahead on 25 minutes against the run of play, as Dario Melo capitalised on a loose ball, spotted the SA goalkeeper off his line and sent a long-range effort on target – only for Mondli Mpoto to backtrack and make a good one-handed save. Yet the striker played a role in Bafana breaking the deadlock on 39 minutes: his cushioned header picked out Ethan Brooks, who in turn played an excellent pass to give captain Rushwin Dortley an easy close-range finish for 1-0.
They were much more progressive in their play and scored a deserved equaliser in the 65th minute via Alfandega, who let fly from long range and beat the right hand of Mpoto to make it 1-1.
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