By Satish Sekar in Rustenburg © Satish Sekar (October 8^th 2020)

Draw

Richard ‘Bobby’ Samaria’s Namibia came from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw against Molefi Ntseki’s Bafana Bafana. Braga’s Luther Singh gave South Africa a deserved lead after 18 minutes.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Kermit Erasmus was allowed far too much space on the right of the area. He squared it to Singh who stroked it in to give South Africa a deserved lead.

The defending, however, was shambolic. Namibia’s Brave Warriors equalised after 55 minutes.

A long ball down the right by Black Africa SC’s Dynamo Fredericks found Absalom Iimbondi with an eye on goal. The Tigers United striker brushed aside a weak challenge and fired past stand-in captain, Supersport United’s Ronwen Williams at his near post.

Both coaches will need to work on their defences.

Early Advantage

South Africa began the brighter. Luther Singh shook of any jetlag with an impressive first half performance. He set up Kermit Erasmus, whose shot was saved by Moroka Swallows’ Virgil Vries at the expense of a corner after 7 minutes.

The corner was wasted. Four minutes later a professional foul was rightly punished by Zimbabwean referee, Norman Matemera, with a yellow card for Sundowns’ Mothobi Mvala.

Thibang Phete’s profuse apologies persuaded Matemera not to show a card for a foul that deserved one, and shortly afterwards, he headed over from a corner won by Erasmus and Singh combining well again.

Despite having the better of the half, chances were few and far between. Singh had an opportunity as half time approached but failed to deliver. And at the other end Namibia’s captain on the night, Peter Shalulie, wasted a good chance to equalise.

Shalulie and the absent Deon Hotto have both recently secured moves to bigger clubs in South Africa’s PSL (Premier Soccer League). Shalulie joined Mamelodi Sundowns and Hotto now plays for Orlando Pirates.

Changes Rung In

Ten minutes into the second half Iimbondi equalised. Victoria Guimares’ Lyle Foster failed to restore the Bafana Bafana’s lead from close range a couple of minutes later.

A spate of substitutions disrupted the tempo – an oft-used ‘explanation’ in friendlies. African Stars’ Alfeus Handura’s last contribution was to pick up a yellow card for clattering into Singh.

Tougher Test?

It was disappointing for South Africa, but it was preparation. The big test in this window was yet to come.

Desite new management, Zambia has a lot to do. The Chiolopolo has missed the last two AFCON Finals and lost the first two qualification matches for AFCON 2021, having conceded 7 and scored just 1. Milutin Sredojević has a very tough task.

His local charges are preparing for the African Championship (CHAN), scheduled to be held in Cameroon early next year.

Collins Sikombe scored the winner for the local-based Chipolopolo last Wednesday against Malawi. They face Kenya tomorrow and the Bafana Bafana on Sunday.