It ended in a barren draw between Bafana-Bafana of South Africa and Zimbabwe Warrior during the World cup qualifying campaign opening at Harare.
The South African team will go back to the drawing board to improve in their game especial when thery face tougher opponent like Black stars of Ghana.
Hugo Broos’ men failed to register any goal in the 90 minutes game at the Country’s capital, Harare where they shared the spoil.
Summary of the match:
It was the South African that stroke first in the early minute of 8th minutes, when they built up from corner to attempt a scoring with a header near the goal post by th jearsy number 9.
In the 17th minute into the game, Bfana started another fine run from the midlle of the field where Mokena fired a shot from a 30 meters distance that almost found its way to the roof of the next but was saved by the Zimbabwe keeper.
Zimbabwe had their best and first chance in 30th minutes from Knowledge Musona but the effort was a little bit above the roof of the next and did not threaten Ronwen so much.
Nothing much of note happned until the second half, when Hlongwane almost scored an opener in a very tight corner but was denied by the brilliant save from the Zimbabwe keeper. The home team defense made a very crucial clearance from the line by defender Chimwemwe , which would have been an own-goal. He had Percy Tau, waiting to pounce at the other side of the wing.
Ronwen Williams (7): Made a stunning save to deny Knowledge Musona in the first half. Other than that, he was not really tested. He also stopped a testing effort from Kadewere in the 30th minute.
Percy Tau had a brilliant moment in the 76th minutes where he stroke outside the box to the far corner of the post but was denied by the Zim keeper with a brilliant tip off keeping the ball out from going into the net.
It ended in stalemate between the two South African rivals as they will meet again in South Africa.
Video of match highlight
Zimbabwe national team squad 2021
Warriors XI: T. Shumba, T. Chimwemwe, A. Mudimu, O. Bhasera, D. Lunga, M. Munetsi, T. Kamusoko, K. Mahachi, K. Musona (c), K. Billiat, T. Kadewere.
South Africa national team squad 2021
South Africa XI: R. Williams (c), De Reuck, S. Xulu, N. Mobbie, M. Mvala, T. Mokoena, P. Tau, G. Links, L. Singh, E. Makgopa. B, Hlongwane
Player Rating South Africa vs Zimbabwe
Thapelo Morena (6.5): Not a bad game from Morena. He produced some accurate passes which helped to prevent Zimbabwe’s dangerman Tino Kadewere from making a strong impact.
Rushine De Reuck (6.5): De Reuck was defensively okay as he showed tactical discipline and was composed. He will be hoping to do better in terms of his attacking output going forward.
Siyanda Xulu (7): Calm and composed in defence. He was one of the South Africans best players on the day as he got his positioning right and kept the likes of Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat at bay.
Nyiko Mobbie (5): Produced nothing special. He was caused problems by Knowledge Musona. He looked indecisive after moving past the halfway line when he needed to pick out passes.
Mothobi Mvala (6): He played in the unfamiliar role of a left-back in this game as a right-footed player. He looked uncomfortable and it was not totally his fault.
Teboho Mokoena (6): He had an okay game, forcing a brilliant save from Zimbabwe goalkeeper Talbert Shumba in the first half but other than that produced nothing special.
Percy Tau (6.5): Tried hard but in the end, he could not get past the Zimbabwean defence. They simply outsmarted him on the day.
Gift Links (4): Struggled to exert himself in the game. It was unsurprising that he was withdrawn at half-time and replaced by Hlongwane.
Luther Singh (5.5): His communication with Percy Tau needs to improve if Bafana are to become a force again in the next few years. Singh did not make an impact in the game.
Evidence Makgopa (4): Did not make an impact an the game. Spurned a good chance to give Bafana the lead after seven minutes as his header was wide.
Bongukuhle Hlongwane (7): Injected some much needed fire into the Bafana attack after being introduced at the start of the second half. He nearly won the game for Broos’ side before his shot was cleared off the line by Takudzwa Chimwemwe. He should start in the next game.