Bafana Bafana drew their third group match after being held to a 0-0 draw by a resilient Niger side in their penultimate Group C 2024 CHAN encounter at the Mandela National Stadium on Friday night.
Bafana started on the back foot with Niger piling up the pressure and unleashing shots from distance which didn’t trouble the South Africans.
In the 39th minute, Niger had their first shot on target which forced Samukelo Xulu to come out and punch it away from danger.
Bafana came inches close to taking the lead when Wayde Jooste’s low pile drive on the left was parried away from danger in the 44th minute.
Thabiso Kutumela and Philip Ndlondlo were then both denied by the Niger goalkeeper before Ndlondlo’s rebound blasted into a defender on the goal-line in added time of the first half. Their appeal for a spot kick was waved away even though replay showed the ball had come off the Niger defender’s hand.
In the 50th minute, Ndlondlo stole the ball off the defender and found Kutumela inside the box, but the latter was quickly closed down and the chance lost.
Bafana were lucky not to go behind in the 74th minute when Niger hit the post from a corner kick before Ramahlwe Mphahlele cleared the ball.
In the end, both sides settled for a share of the spoils.
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