Durban The COSAFA Bafana Bafana side beat the Flames of Malawi 5-3 on penalties – thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela – to finish with a bronze medal at the regional tournament in Durban on Sunday, (16 July 2023).
Malawi had a better first half, putting South Africas makeshift defense under a lot of pressure.
Goalkeeper Mzimela, who plays for AmaZulu, kept Bafana in the game with crucial saves.
Coach Morena Ramoreboli started with two teenagers, Puso Dithejane and Siyabonga Gumede, and the two defensive players did not disappoint even when they were put under a lot of pressure.
Ramoreboli made several changes at halftime, resting both teenagers and striker Victor Letsoalo, introducing captain Lyle Lakay, Iqraam Reyners, and Thembela Sikhakhane.
The South Africans took control of the match in the second half and were unfortunate when Reyners effort hit the upright.
Bafana continued to rotate the ball in midfield but could not penetrate the disciplined Malawi defense.
It ended 0-0 during regulation time and it was down to penalties, with both goalkeepers taking the spotlight.
With Malawi missing their fourth penalty, which could have kept them in the shootout, Rowan Human converted South Africas fifth and final penalty to give the hosts the bronze medal.
If you saw in the second half, we were playing a different system, more of your 4-2-2-2,” said Ramoreboli after the game.
“We wanted to try and cover the central zone, playing into those half spaces. Its just unfortunate that with all the opportunities in the second half, we could not just get a goal.
Zambia claimed a record seventh COSAFA Cup title after they defeated Lesotho 1-0 in the tournament final, played at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday evening.
*Original article: Bafana settle for bronze in COSAFA Cup | SAFA.net
