Bafana Bafana continued their 100% winning record under new coach Pitso Mosimane when they beat Egypt 1-0 in an international friendly at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday night.
It was the team’s third consecutive win under Mosimane, following a 2-1 victory over Guinea and a 5-0 thrashing of Eritrea in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers a few days earlier.
US-based Puso Dithejane scored on his debut in the 50th minute to ensure that Bafana Bafana secured a victory over one of the continent’s most decorated teams.
Just before the match, the team received a surprise visit from President Cyril Ramaphosa in the changing room. Ramaphosa was in Cairo to participate in the 8th African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting.
Mosimane made nine changes to the starting line-up, with only Siphephelo Sithole and Ime Okon retaining their places. Dithejane, Tashreeq Matthews and Brooklyn Poggenpoel made their debuts.
Bafana had to withstand intense attacks from the Egyptians, who took advantage of the makeshift defence, with many of the players playing together for the first time.
Stand-in captain and goalkeeper Sipho Chaine made several key saves from the Pharaohs’ attackers, and his replacement, Ricardo Goss, repeated the feat after coming on.
Bafana were, however, disappointing on the counter-attack, with the players showing a lack of understanding among themselves, making it easier for the hosts to deal with their attacks.
They nevertheless held on to their narrow one-goal lead, much to the frustration of the home crowd.
Mosimane acknowledged that the numerous changes had affected the team’s performance and called for patience.
