The South African U-23 side battled back to secure a 1-1 draw against Congo in their U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday afternoon.
Kegan Johannes captained the host that debuted Devon Titus, Olwethu Makhanya, Wayne Dortley, Samkelo Zwane, Thapelo Maseko and Ashley Cupido to mention but a few.
Maseko should've gone on to a dream debut from a low ball to the far post following a cross, but the SuperSport United attacker fashioned wide of the far corner.
There were further openings from the host at the midway stage where a first-time volley from a tight angle by Titus led the opposite number to a sprawling save at the near post.
Congo stayed tight and were ahead on the stroke of halftime when when Makhanya lost concentration at the back and Larrys Mabiala capitalised to head in the opener.
No team introduced changes at the start of the second half, as the home team eagerly looked to go level through a teasing shot from a tight angle by Maseko only to have it parried.
It looked a better spell for South Africa's under-23 following the resumption where they did have the ball in the net through an effort from Cupido only to have it disallowed for offside.
South Africa unleased three substitutions a little later in overseas-based Kgaogelo Chauke for his debut, Mduduzi Shabalala and Boitumelo Radiopane.
The South African team continued to assert pressure and were rewarded 69 minutes on the clock through a stern finish in off the post by Maseko from Shabalala's assist.
With the clash level, the host started to enjoy more confidence on the ball and furthermore managed to stage forward runs from all angles with Shabalala key in that regard.
In the end, neither team went on to find the winner and left the first-leg of this qualifier level with the return-leg scheduled for next week.
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