Lyle Foster scored the winning goal as Bafana Bafana secured a 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo in an international friendly match played at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The visitors showed their intent early on when Joris Kayembe came close to handing Congo the lead but saw his effort saved by stand-in goalkeeper Ricardo Goss.

But it was Bafana who drew first blood when they broke the deadlock in the 25th minute through Lyle Foster, who slotted home Mvala’s rebounded strike at goal.

Jackson Muleka proved a constant threat to South Africa as he forced Goss into making a number of saves to deny him a scoring chance.

At the other end, Tau had a chance to double his side’s lead but he was denied by Congo keeper Mpasi Nzau.

Bathusi Aubaas should have made it 2-0 to South Africa just before the break but he fired his effort over the crossbar as the game went into the halftime break.

The Leopards had a chance to level matters early in the second half through Muleka but Goss came to his side’s rescue to deny him.

Hugo Broos opted to bring on fresh legs when Monnapule Saleng and Lebogang Mothoba came on to replace Mayambela and Lepasa.

Aubaas should have put the game to bed close to the end of the game when he forced Nzau into making a reflex save to deny him.

Bafana Bafana held on to their narrow lead until the final whistle to secure the win against DR Congo in Soweto.

Photo by Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix