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Zungu goal fires Bafana past Namibia

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Bongani Zungu of Bafana Bafana

Bafana Bafana claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Namibia in their second Group D game to get their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign up and running.

Bafana came into the game knowing that nothing but the three points would do after their 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast in their opener, and with North African giants Morocco to come in the final group game.

Namibia suffered heartbreak in their opener as a late Moroccan goal condemned them to a 1-0 loss and were hoping to bounce back with a win over their neighbours.

Stuart Baxter made a number of changes to his starting lineup, bringing in Darren Keet, Bongani Zungu and Hlompho Kekana for Ronwen Williams, Kamohelo Mokotjo and the injured Dean Furman.

The South Africans dominated possession in the opening exchanges but had little to show for it with Sifiso Hlanti’s free kick their best chance in the opening 10 minutes.

The Namibians, though, grew into the game and had a good opening with 20 minutes gone when Deon Hotto was slipped in down the left flank. The Bidvest Wits midfielder couldn’t find the target, though, as his shot flew way wide.

Bafana then had two great chances before the break as, first, an unmarked Themba Zwane headered a Hlanti cross right into the arms of the Namibia keeper. Then, Percy Tau tamely hit a shot straight at the keeper after Sibusiso Vilakazi picked him out with a clever diagonal pass.

With the score 0-0 at the break, South Africa were struggling to break down their well-organised opponents.

The second half started as the first did with Bafana having much of the ball but struggling to create any clear-cut chances.

The Brave Warriors then came close to breaking the deadlock in the 65th minute when a cross was spilled by Keet and the ball fell at the feet of Hotto. The midfielder, though, had his shot deflected off the sprawling Keet before hitting Buhle Mkhwanazi on the goalline.

Then, just three minutes later Bafana finally had their goal. It came from a set piece as Percy Tau picked out Zungu from a corner, with the unmarked midfielder calmly guiding his header into the back of the net.

The game then began to open up as Namibia looked to push forward for an equaliser, which left space for Baxter’s men to attack, but despite a couple of openings they could not add to their lead.

With 1-0 the full-time score, Bafana bagged their first points of the competition to go level with Ivory Coast heading into the final group game.