Bafana Bafana and Ghana played to a 0-0 draw in their practice game at the Dubai Police Academy on Saturday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The South African national team’s last competitive game under coach Stuart Baxter was their last group-stage game of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against to book their place in Egypt, following their 2-1 victory in March.

Coach Kwesi Appiah’s Black Stars came into this friendly after finishing top of Group F in their Afcon qualifier following their 1-0 victory over Kenya in March.

The game got off to a slow start with both teams trying to find their rhythm in the opening exchanges.

The Black Stars came close to scoring on two occasions in as many minutes as the momentum shifted from one end to the other.

Ghana settled in as they continued to enjoy territorial advantage over Bafana, but were unable to create any clear-cut chances in the final third.

South Africa had their first real chance of the game when Percy Tau played a one-two with Thami Mkhize, but was unable to reach the target with their move going forward.

Tau should have handed his side the lead from a free kick, but blazed his effort wide of the target after Thulani Serero was brought down on the edge of the box.

The game went into the break with the scoreline locked at 0-0.

Bafana made wholesale changes for the second half, while Ghana brought on Owusu Kwabena and Mubarak Wakaso respectively.

The Black Stars came close to opening the scoring in the 49th minute, with Lars Veldwijk latching on to a pass from Bongani Zungu, but his attempt was pushed out for a corner by Richard Ofori.

Bafana upped the tempo and almost found the back of the net when Lebogang Maboe unleashed a ferocious shot from distance, but the Ghanaian defence cleared their lines.

Ronwen Williams came to his side’s rescue in the 63rd minute when he made a great save to keep out a headed ball towards the bottom corner.

At the other end, Ghana continued to press forward as they went in search of the opening goal.

Gyan should have put the game to bed in the closing stages but his effort crashed off the woodwork.

Neither side were able to find the all-important goal as the game ended goalless at the Dubai Police Academy.