South Africa’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification campaign got off to a rocky start with a 2-2 home draw against Group K rivals Uganda at the Orlando Stadium on Friday evening.
Bafana Bafana completely dominated the first half and opened the scoring via Lyle Foster, but a failure to convert several other scoring chances cost them dearly, with the Cranes roaring back in the second half via two stunning long-range goals – one of which left stand-in goalkeeper Veli Mothwa (playing due to injury to captain Ronwen Williams) with egg on his face.
The hosts looked to be on course for a defeat, but substitute Thalente Mbatha struck a debut goal five minutes into injury time to salvage a draw.
South Africa will return to Group K action on Tuesday 10 September with a clash away to South Sudan in Juba, while Uganda will host Congo in Kampala the day prior.
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