Bafana Bafana finally got off the mark in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a win over Namibia. snl24.com/kickoff rates the individual performances.
A Bongani Zungu goal was the decider at the Al Salam Stadium as Bafana edged The Brave Warriors 1-0 in their penultimate Group D encounter.
It was, once again, not the most exciting performances from Stuart Baxter's side as they struggled to take control of the game in the first half, but eventually showed some more impetus after taking the lead midway through the second.
Darren Keet – 5
Didn't have much to do in the first half, except a few routine catches from aerial balls played into his box. Was founding wanting when he fumbled a cross before Mkhwanazi saved Bafana’s blushes with a block off the line in the second half.
Thamsanqa Mkhize – 5
Pushed up and down the flank but looked a bit flat and with a few tied challenges allowing his opponents to get around him. Was forced off with a head injury in the 66th minute.
Thulani Hlatshwayo – 6
Put out a decent shift. Made a crucial block to deny Namibia a great scoring opportunity in the opening minutes of second half. Popped up again with a crucial interception in the dying minutes, after Keet was drawn off his line and beaten.
Buhle Mkhwanazi – 5
After a relatively quiet opening 45 minutes, he too pulled up with some tidy defensive work early in the second half, including the all-important off-the-line clearance to deny Hotto, but a couple of small positional errors nearly turned costly too.
S'fiso Hlanti – 4
Completely off the mark, with wayward passing and deliveries in the final third. Left wanting in defence as well, with lapses of concentration leading to him committing fouls in potentially threatening areas.
Hlompho Kekana – 5
Replaced the injured Dean Furman to earn his first appearance at AFCON 2019. Didn't have a massive imprint on the match. His trademark long-range shots failed to threaten the Namibian goal, while he squandered a great set-piece opportunity in the dying minutes of the match.
Bongani Zungu – 6
Had a relatively quiet opening half, helping in the build-ups but with Namibia playing out wide, there was little to do in breaking them down in the middle of the park. Popped up to score the all-important goal with a well taken header from Tau's corner in the 69th minute.
Sibusiso Vilakazi - 5
Looked good in his combination play with Zwane and Tau, and came close to scoring in the first half but saw his effort sail narrowly over the crossbar. Faded out in the second half and was substituted out after 85 minutes.
Themba Zwane – 5
Very quiet game by his standards. Not much better from his performance against Ivory Coast, but created a couple of good chances in attack. Had a good chance to score in the 36th minute but his header towards goal was easily saved.
Percy Tau – 6
Got on the ball quite often but couldn't find ways to run though often enough from out his position out wide. Delivered a great corner for Zungu to get Bafana's opener. Carved out some good openings for himself but was mostly frustrated with his own chances that failed to beat Kazapua.
Lebo Mothiba – 5
Did well to try and hold up play early on but often left isolated in the middle, with two defenders surrounding him. A lack of confidence seemed to get him down as he managed just one shot on target, which was a free-kick straight at Kazapua. Often showed selfishness by shooting when better options were available.
Substitutions
Ramahlwe Mphahlele – 5
Came on to replace Mkhize in the 66th minute. Was slow off the mark as he tried to adjust to the pace of the game, with Hotto proving a threat down the left flank.
Kamohelo Mokotjo
Came on to replace Bongani Zungu in the 84th minute. Did not play long enough for a rating.
Lars Veldwijk
Came on to replace Sibusiso Vilakazi in the 85th minute. Did not play long enough for a rating.