In an exciting international friendly match played at a packed Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Bafana Bafana held Ivory Coast to a 1-1 draw.
The match saw a much-improved performance from the South African team, inspired by the recent success of the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup.
Themba Zwane opened the scoring for Bafana Bafana in the eighth minute, giving them hope of a famous victory. However, Ivory Coast fought back strongly in the second half and equalized through Sebastian Haller’s free header in the 65th minute.
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Bafana coach Hugo Broos had emphasized the importance of resilience, drawing inspiration from the Springboks’ quarterfinal victory over France.
After a lackluster performance in their previous match against Eswatini, Bafana made six changes to the starting lineup, resulting in a far stronger performance.
Captain Ronwen Williams returned to the goal, providing stability and leadership. Khuliso Mudau was preferred at right-back, impressing with his defensive skills and contribution to the attack.
Sphephelo Sithole and Teboho Mokoena formed a solid midfield partnership, while Mothobi Mvala and Siyanda Xulu provided a strong defensive presence.
The changes made by Broos injected greater zeal into the team, and they started to control the match from the moment Zwane scored the opening goal.
Bafana displayed impressive pressing and contained the dangerous attacking players of Ivory Coast, including Wilfred Zaha and Jonathan Bamba.
Mudau’s performance on the right side of defense was particularly noteworthy, as he successfully nullified Zaha’s threat and even contributed to the team’s attacking play. His performance raised questions about the regular right-back, Nyiko Mobbie.
This match was a stark contrast to Bafana’s previous display against Eswatini, where they struggled to create chances and were held to a goalless draw. The team showed great improvement in their tactical approach and execution, earning praise from fans and pundits alike.
The draw against Ivory Coast will serve as a confidence booster for Bafana as they prepare for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast next year.
The team will look to build on this performance and continue to grow under the guidance of coach Hugo Broos.
