Bafana wrap tour with a draw
South Africa held hosts Honduras to a 1-all draw in an international friendly on Tuesday night (Wednesday, SA time) at the Metropolitano Stadium in San Pedro Sula.
The match was the final encounter on South Africa’s Central American tour which started last Thursday when Bafana Bafana managed a fine 1-0 win over Costa Rica’s ‘Los Ticos’, in San Jose.
The touring South Africans took an early lead against Honduras, known as ‘Los Catachros’, who are currently ranked world-ranked at 89th, 16 places below Bafana Bafana. Erick Mathoho headed home after he connected with a Jabulani Shongwe corner kick just eight minutes into the match for his first international goal.
‘Los Catachros’ response followed some six minutes later when they too scored from a header. Bafana Bafana goalmouth custodian Itumeleng Khune parried a shot from Carlos Discua and Erick Andino was handily placed to nod the stray ball home for the equaliser.
In the dying minutes of the match, Bafana Bafana came within a whisker of snatching a second win on the road but Sibusiso Vilakazi’s strike was held out by the woodwork.
The match marked the first international clash between Honduras and South Africa.
Bafana Bafana’s next assignment will be on Saturday when they play a CHAN qualifier against Angola at the Rand Stadium, in Johannesburg.
Bafana Bafana’s starting XI: Itumeleng Khune (captain), Anele Ngcongca, Rivaldo Coetzee, Erick Mathoho, Mosa Lebusa, Andile Jali, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Mandla Masango, Thulani Serero, Jabulani Shongwe, Ayanda Patosi
Substitutes: Jackson Mabokgwane, Ronwen Williams, Siyabonga Nhlapo, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Clayton Daniels, Muzi Mashaba, Dean Furman, George Lebese, Bongani Zungu, Sibusiso Vilakazi
ANA