Bafana Bafana secured their first win in the Africa Cup of Nations Group C qualifier after claiming a 1-0 victory over Sudan at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki made wholesale changes to the side that was defeated by Ghana on Thursday, with Thapelo Morena and Erick Mathoho, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Thulani Serero and Lebogang Mothiba and Lebohang Phiri all drafted into the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, Sudan remained unchanged from their win over Sao Tome and Principe in their opening Group C encounter.
South Africa got off to a good start and should have taken the lead in the second minute but Thapelo Morena blazed his effort wide of the target.
Levi Mothiba missed a golden opportunity in the 14th minute when he failed to find the back of the net from six-yards our.
Mokotjo almost broke the deadlock in the 25th minute but saw his thunderous effort saved by Sudan goalkeeper Ali Aboeshren.
Bafana eventually took the lead on the stroke of half time when Phiri found the breakthrough after his strike found the top corner from just inside the box.
The home side managed to hold on to their one-goal lead over Sudan as the game went into the half time interval.
Sudan nearly levelled matters early in the second half but they failed to capitalise on a mistake from Mathoho.
Ntseki made his first change in the 68th minute when Lebogang Manyama came on for the injured Phiri.
Bafana made their final changes of the game when Kermit Erasmus and Bradley Grobler came on to replace Mothiba and Thulani Serero.
Erasmus nearly made an instant impact and came close to doubling his sides lead in the 78th minute when he beat his marker to unleash a low stroke at goal but saw his shot saved by the Sudan shot-stopper.
Grobler thought he had made it 2-0 in the 82nd minute but his strike was flagged for offside as the score line remained 1-0 in favour of Bafana.
Bafana Bafana held on to their one-goal lead over Sudan until the final whistle to claim all three points in their Afcon Group C qualifier.
