Bafana Bafana took on Lesotho in the quarter-finals of the Cosafa Cup on Saturday, eventually running out the winners following a penalty shootout. 

Lesotho got off to a bright start in Windoek as South African goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse was forced to parry clear an effort from range early on.

Bafana’s first effort came from Judas Moseamedi in the 9th minute, but flew wide. Then, just a minute later, Lesotho stopper Daniel Jousse was forced into making his first save.

Hlompho Kalake then fired a free kick over the bar for Lesotho after 12 minutes, before Bafana came close as Gift Motupa just failed to get on the end of a cross.

Jane Thaba-Ntso then broke the deadlock against the run of play for Lesotho as he latched onto a ball over the top to hit home after 19 minutes. Bafana then came close with a chance of their own, but the effort was smashed into the side netting.

The game continued to develop in end-to-end fashion as Lebogang Phiri tried a shot from range in the 25th minute. Tshepo Rikhotso was then called into action to cut out a Lesotho through ball in the 32nd minute.

Lesotho were looking dangerous on the counter but neither side could conjure up any further clear-cut chances in the half, as the half-time whistle blew with the score at 1-0.

The second-half began with Bafana pressing hard for an equaliser before Tsepo Seturumane tried a shot from range for Lesotho after 52 minutes.

Bafana continued to be frustrated as they struggled to get in behind Lesotho, while they had a number of shots blocked.

With time marching on neither side were creating openings. Then finally, with 66 minutes on the clock, Motupa latched onto a cross to fire a header into the back of the net, leveling the score at 1-1.

Thaba-Ntso had a golden chance to get his second in the 75th minute has he beat Pieterse to a loose ball, but his header bounced just wide. Basia Makepe then did brilliantly to deny Bafana just a minute later as he cleared off the line.

There was late drama as Motupa was red carded for a dangerous foul, before Jousse made a crucial save to deny 10-man Bafana a late win. But with neither side able to break the deadlock, the game went to penalties.

In the end, it was Bafana who prevailed, as they progressed to the semi-finals at the expense of their opponents.