Johannesburg– Three goals in the second stanza from defender and captain Thulani Hlatshwayo (49th minute), debutant striker Thabo Mnyamane (51st minute) as well as second half substitute Mandla Masango (86th minute) were enough to give Bafana Bafana a convincing 3-1 win over a determined Swaziland side.

The international friendly match was played at the Somhlolo Stadium on Wednesday, 25 March.

Felix Badenhorst grabbed the consolation goal for the hosts.

South Africa head coach Ephraim Mashaba started the match with four players who were making their debut in Bafana Bafana colours – Mnyamane, defenders Thapelo Morena and Daniel Cardoso and also midfielder Cole Alexander.

He added two more new caps when he introduced Siphelele Ntshangase and Lebogang Phiri for Lehlohonolo Majoro and Kamohelo Mokotjo respectively. Mashaba is happy with the victory but has some concerns.

“We knew this was going to happen, and that is why I indicated earlier on that it is not going to be easy. If you play countries like these, you just become a motivating factor to them. They really came at us and the goal they scored – my defence did not do well, we should have defended better,” said the Bafana Bafana mentor.

“It’s a good result to take to Mpumalanga (to face Nigeria) and hopefully it rubs off positively. These are two different games, so you cannot take what happened in Swaziland to Mpumalanga because it is going to be a tough game as well. We will do our best. You will remember that they still have a score to settle with us, they will come spitting fire but we are ready for them.”

Mashaba was also not impressed with the first half performance of his players.

“At the break we told them to shake themselves up because they were shadows of themselves in the first half. Yes we had possession and made many passes but we were not playing forward, just going sideways and backwards. With a strong opposition we will find ourselves in trouble when we do that,” said Mashaba.

He also explained why he took off Majoro in the first half.

“It was not a question of me being happy or not, he never exerted himself, he let the other striker play alone in that area, he never competed for high balls and his first touch was not good so we didn’t want to leave him longer, we decided to give him a break and maybe with another game he will be much better,” added Mashaba.

The match also saw the return of Itumeleng Khune in the Bafana Bafana line-up for the first time since January last year when he played against Mali in the CAF CHAN tournament played in Cape Town. He has been recovering from an injury.

“It was great for me to come back and play the first half, it really feels good to be back. In that stanza, Swaziland came very hard at us but we managed to contain them and we were disciplined. So it was a great performance overall. It was great preparation for the Nigeria clash. It is always great before you play another big match, you get such a result as it builds confidence,” said Khune.

This is how they lined up:

Swaziland: Mphikeleli Dlamini (GK), Sifiso Mabila, Sanele Mkhweli, Siyabonga Mdluli, Machawe Dlamini, Njabulo Ndlovu, Xolani Sibandze, Mcolisi Lukhele, Phinda Dlamini, Felix Badenhorst, Tony Tsabedze (c)

Subs: Nhlanhla Gwebu (GK), Mthunzi Mkhontfo, Sandile Hlatjwako, Muzomuhle Dlamini, Zweli Nxumalo, Sifiso Nkambule, Mandla Palma, Skhumbuzo Ntimane, Banele Dlamini

Coach: Harries Bulunga

SA 11 vs Swaziland: Itumeleng Khune (GK) (46^th Jackson Mabokgwane) , Thapelo Morena, Thabo Matlaba, Thulani Hlatshwayo (c), Daniel Cardoso, Kamohelo Mokotjo (70^th Lebogang Phiri), Cole Alexander (81^st Bongani Zungu), Thulani Serero (53^rd Jabulani Shongwe), Lehlohonolo Majoro (42^nd Siphelele Ntshangase), Ayanda Patosi (55^th Mandla Masango), Thabo Mnyamane

Subs: Jackson Mabokgwane (GK), Siyabonga Nhlapho, Sibusiso Khumalo, Rivaldo Coetzee, Andile Jali, Jabulani Shongwe, Mandla Masango, Tokelo Rantie, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Bongani Zungu, Siphelele Ntshangase, Lebogang Phiri

Not considered for match day: Brilliant Khuzwayo (GK), Thuso Phala, Oupa Manyisa

Coach: Ephraim Shakes Mashaba

-TDN

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