A goal from Thalente Mbatha in referee’s optional time saved South African senior football side, Bafana Bafana, from an embarrassing loss to Uganda in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match at Orlando Stadium on Friday night.
Bafana Bafana clawed their way back from two goals down to force a last-gasp 2-2 draw with Uganda during, when Mbatha grabbed the opportunity to score an equaliser, ensuring the two sides share spoils.
It was South Africa who found the back of the net first through a goal from Lyle Foster in the 14th minute, which the hosts sustained until half time. The visitors however wasted no time at restart as they equalised matters five minutes into the second half through Denis Omedi.
Uganda pressed on and their efforts were rewarded when Rogers Mato scored their second goal in the 53rd minute.
The visitors looked set for a victory as they 90-minute mark hit with them on the lead, it was however the dying minutes of the match that saw Bafana sneaked in an equaliser through Mbatha.
Bafana Bafana now travel to South Sudan on Saturday for their second AFCON qualifier on Tuesday, 10 September 2024.