South Africa needed a last gasp equalizer to salvage a 2-2 draw against Uganda at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto. It was an entertaining game in what was both countries’ opening fixture for the 2025 Total Energies AFCON qualification campaign.
Bafana Bafana took a 14th minute lead when Burnley FC striker Lyle Foster finished off Khuliso Mudau’s pass.Despite dominating possession and creating several chances,the home team could not extend their advantage before half time.Courtesy of Isima Watenga’s heroics in the visitors’ net.
Inevitably,the second period saw the game turn on its head.Five minutes into the second period,SC Villa captain Ronald Ssekiganda won the ball off Sphephelo Sithole near the hosts’ box.In-form Kitara FC striker Denis Omedi picked it up,took a couple of touches and then arrowed an absolute screamer into the top corner from all of thirty metres.
It was a truly magnificent strike and there was nothing Veli Mothwa in the South Africa goal could do about it.
Mothwa,however,then gifted Uganda the lead just three minutes later with a terrible blunder.A neat one two between Allan Okello and Rogers Mato undid South Africa’s shape in the middle before Mato unleashed a ferocious shot from near the center circle.Mothwa should have made a routine save given the distance,but he instead let it slip through his hands.
Uganda suddenly looked the better team,and Mato in particular became a thorn in the South Africa defence’s flesh.His fearless dribbling and combination play with Okello rattled the hosts until he was forced off injured and replaced by Joseph Ochaya.
Uganda opted to soak up the pressure and almost pulled off the upset thanks to some resolute rearguard action.But the intensity eventually took its toll and Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbantha capitalised on ineffectual clearing from the Uganda Cranes defence to mark his national team debut with an injury time leveller at his club’s home ground.
The stalemate puts both teams two points behind Congo,who beat South Sudan 1-0,in Group K.The action continues next week,with Uganda slated to take on Congo on Monday.South Africa will then battle South Sudan on Tuesday.
