- South Africa began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw against Uganda on Friday.
- The Bafana Bafana were on the brink of defeat at home against the Cranes but a last-minute strike from debutant Thalente Mbatha saved the day.
- Hugo Broos’ side was missing some key players, notably Mamelodi Sundowns’ star goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
It was Orlando Pirates’ Thalente Mbatha who came off the bench to save the day for Bafana Bafana, scoring a crucial late equalizer in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Uganda in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The game was played at the iconic Orlando Stadium, and the young player's debut goal ensured the national team left the field with a point.
Heading into the match, South Africa was widely expected to dominate against Uganda. On paper, the squad looked strong, and the team had been showing promising form recently. But as the game unfolded, it became clear that this was going to be a tougher challenge than anticipated.
The result left many fans scratching their heads, as Hugo Broos’ side needed a last-minute hero to avoid a defeat against the Cranes. Despite their dominance in possession and chances created, the South African team struggled to convert those opportunities into goals, which ultimately cost them dearly.
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Debutant Delivers in the Dying Moments
The game started with high energy from Bafana Bafana, and Burnley striker Lyle Foster put the hosts ahead in the 14th minute. That early goal seemed to set the tone for what was expected to be a comfortable victory. Broos’ men were in control for much of the first half, creating several scoring opportunities. However, they failed to capitalize on their dominance, which would later prove costly.
Khuliso Mudau, Oswin Appollis, and Elias Mokwana all missed golden chances to extend the lead, leaving the scoreline at 1-0 heading into halftime. The missed opportunities came back to haunt Bafana Bafana when Uganda turned the tide in their favor shortly after the break.
In the 51st minute, Denis Omedi's powerful long-range shot found the back of the net, leveling the score. Just two minutes later, a defensive blunder by Veli Mothwa gifted Uganda the lead through Rogers Mato, leaving the home crowd stunned. With the score at 2-1, Uganda adopted a defensive posture, focusing on protecting their lead and aiming for all three points.
As the game entered stoppage time, it appeared as though Uganda would walk away with a famous victory. But then, in the 95th minute, Thalente Mbatha, who had come on as a late substitute, struck gold. His debut goal not only salvaged a point for Bafana Bafana but also reignited hope for the fans and the team moving forward.
Missing Pieces in the Puzzle
Broos Excludes Star Player
In a surprising twist, Hugo Broos revealed that there is no room in the Bafana Bafana squad for Tshegofatso Mabasa, despite his impressive performances last season. Mabasa finished as the PSL’s top goalscorer, but Broos argued that his style of play is too similar to that of current strikers Iqraam Rayners and Lyle Foster. This decision has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with many questioning whether excluding such a talented player was the right call.
While Broos’ selection philosophy is clear, it remains to be seen whether this decision will benefit the team in the long run. The coach’s focus appears to be on building a cohesive unit rather than simply stacking the squad with individual talents. However, with qualifiers just beginning, there’s still plenty of time for adjustments and reassessments.
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As South Africa continues their journey toward the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the team will need to find consistency and sharpen their finishing if they hope to make a significant impact on the continental stage. The next matches will be crucial in determining whether Broos’ strategies will pay off and whether Bafana Bafana can build on this hard-fought draw.
