Bafana Bafana missed out on top spot in Group A in the Cosafa Cup despite picking up a 1-0 win over Eswatini on Tuesday afternoon.
Bafana didn't need any time settling and were in the ascendancy in no less than two minutes from kick-off when Thabang Sibanyoni raced to the near post and headed home from a corner.
The host enjoyed complete dominance with virtually no danger coming and in fact could've gone on to extend the tally given the sustained level of momentum.
Although, danger signs did set in on the home team who nearly succumbed on the half-hour mark through Ayanda Gadlela's composed finish, but the Eswatini striker was flagged offside.
Bafana missed a golden chance to make it two late on in the first half when Cupido broke through from a through pass by Ethan Brooks, but the forward was unable to beat Xolani Gama.
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Substitutions for Sihlangu Semnikati past the interval resulted in Sizolwethu Shabalala vacating duty and Bongwa Matsebula making a way on the park.
Bafana remained confident particularly when going on the attack though battled decisiveness in thefinal third, but had a lot of supplies lacked efficacy.The visiting team were a whisker from levelling a few minutes from halftime, but Andy Junior Magagula nodded Gadlela's cross wide with the goal at his mercy.
Magagula again caused more problems ten minutes to the end when he tossed and turned around the box to get a shot away, but Mondli Mpoto pulled across and collected.
Bafana did finish strong and were unfortunate not to increase the tally to go atop the groupstandings, though secured victory on the day but missed out on the last four.
Confirmed line-ups:
South Africa: Mpoto, Matuludi, Moloisane, Dortley, Modise, Bern, Brooks, Cupido, Rhodes, Velebayi, Sibanyoni
Subs: Xulu, Mzimela, Thikazi, Titus, Kammies, Mcaba, Mojela, Van Wyk, Moremi, Cupido, Poggenpoel