Hosts South Africa defeated 10-man Eswatini 1-0 on Thursday afternoon to seize leadership of Group A of the ongoing Cosafa Cup.
Eswatini suffered a setback when captain Felix Badenhorst received marching orders late in the first-half after picking two yellow cards.
With the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, Badenhorst having departed the stage, Bafana Bafana made use of their numerical advantage.
Little wonder, TS Galaxy FC striker Thabang Sibanyoni scored in the 59th minute at Isaac Wolfson Stadium.
It was his first goal in Bafana Bafana colours.
South Africa lead the group with six points, having defeated Botswana 1-0 in the group’s opener earlier this week.
Eswatini are on second place with three points following their 3-1 beating of Lesotho earlier this week.
Lesotho occupy third place also with three points after redeeming themselves to upset holders Zambia 2-1 in a lunchtime kick-off at the same venue today.
Zambia are second from bottom without a point just like table anchors Botswana.
The tournament will run from July 6 to 18 and involves 10 teams which have been split into two pools of five teams each.
Best two teams from each group will proceed to the semifinals.
Organisers of the tournament had to redo its format after the late withdrawal of Comoros Islands and Madagascar.
Line-ups:
South Africa: Veli Mothwa, Nyiko Mobbie, Rushine De Reuck, Thabang Sibanyoni, Basil Mphahlele, Sphelele Sithebe, Ethan Brooks, Mkhulise, Siyethemba Phohlongo, Monnapule Saleng, Austin Dube
Eswatini: N. Dlamini, Figareido, Mkhwanazi, Magagula, Msibi, Mamba, Mabelesa, Mkhontfo, Badernhost, Ndzinisa, Phohlongo
FRIDAY’S FIXTURES
Group B
Malawi vs Zimbabwe (12:00noon; 10h00 GMT)
Senegal vs Mozambique (3:00pm.; 1:00 pm GMT)