Bafana Bafana dropped into the plate section of the COSAFA Cup after a penalty shoot-out loss to Mozambique on Wednesday night.
It was a pretty youthful line-up from the host where goalkeeper Lincoln Vyver, Athenkosi Mcaba, Kegan Johannes, Keletso Sifama and Boitumelo Radiopane in particular featured.
There was no sense of nervousness from this outfit as Sifama cut in from a tight angle earlier on and narrowly shaved the far post with a teasing shot in the six-yard area.
The Mambas weren't fazed and came closest midway in the first half when captain Edmilson Dove opened a yard of space outside the area to struck the foot of the post.
Bafana regrouped following the slight scare and managed to issue another threat through a low rasping free-kick from afar by Siyanda Msani minutes to the end of the opening spell.
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Despite a slow opening to the second half, the youthful hosts still obtained a large portion of possession and went close to taking the lead after Thulani Maseko curled in from the left of the area.
Bafana witnessed another inviting opportunity fall at their door step just inside the middle of the resumption as Radiopane snapped a quick one-two over target from close proximity.
That turned out to be the starlet's last contribution, after he was substituted for by Stellenbosch FC youngster Antonio Van Wyk.
In the latter periods and with full-time on the horizon, the two continued to battle away in the hope of the opener but it didn't materialise and a penalty shoot-out followed.
After a marathon shoot-out, it was the Mambas that kept cool and emerged victorious in the sudden death and advanced to the semi-finals, with Bafana slipping into the Plate semi-finals.
Confirmed line-ups:
South Africa: Vyer, Mdunyelwa, Mcaba, Msani, Johannes, Rasebotja, Malivha, Maseko, Human, Sifama, Radiopane.
Mozambique: Siluane, Matola, Momade, Dove, Alexander, Decarvalho, Thauzene, Muchanga, Ernesto, Bonde, Ngangy