The King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, South Africa came alive as the 2023 COSAFA Cup kicked off on Wednesday, July 5.
In the first game of the tournament, which was played in the afternoon, Botswana defeated Eswatini 1-0 in a closely contested contest.
In the following evening’s match, Namibia held South Africa to a 1-1 draw.
Eswatini gave it their best but was unable to defeat their opponents because they were separated by a goal from Lebogang Ditsele.
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The Zebras, who are steadily improving in African football, had to dig deep against them.
In the afternoon match at the King Zwelithini Stadium, the tournament hosts, South Africa, had to come from behind to tie Namibia, the silver medalists from the previous year, in a highly interesting 1-1 draw.
Elmo Kambindu, a local player for Chippa United, scored the opening goal before replacement Rowan Human equalised early in the second half.
With the support of the crowd, the home team controlled the opening play with their incisive passing and bold play in the Namibian half.
Bafana Bafana did not inflict much damage to their opponents, who decided to add men behind the ball and try to catch them on the break, even with possession in their favour.
The lone decent shot on goal came in the 22nd minute, when Tebogo Tlolane failed to beat the custodian from close range after a run down the right by Mokete Mogaila.
After Kambindu headed home a well-placed cross that found him unguarded at the far post to give Namibia the lead only minutes before halftime, the hosts were subsequently penalised for their failure to turn possession into goals.
When play resumed following the break, South Africa put forth early pressure and were suitably rewarded when replacement Rowan Human’s ferocious volley tied the score in the 47th minute.
Both parties persisted in questioning one another, but the eventual result was a division of the spoils.
The action continues tomorrow at the same location with Seychelles vs. Comoros at 15h00, followed by Zambia vs. Malawi at 18h00, the reigning champions.