South Africa salvaged a vital 1-1 draw against Czechia thanks to Teboho Mokoena’s late penalty, keeping their FIFA World Cup hopes alive, The South African reports.
The result came after Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos reshuffled his side, making two enforced changes and one tactical switch.
Suspended midfielder Sphephelo Sithole dropped out, while Nkosinathi Sibisi and Lyle Foster were left on the bench as Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis and Thapelo Maseko came into the starting XI.
The adjustments also saw South Africa adopt a more adventurous 4-3-3 formation.
The warning signs arrived almost immediately when Patrik Schick headed wide inside the opening minute. Bafana then struggled to deal with a series of early set pieces before the breakthrough arrived in the fifth minute.
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A quick throw-in caught the defence off guard, allowing a low cross into the area where Michal Sadílek applied the finishing touch to hand Czechia the lead.
In the second half South Africa enjoyed sustained possession but found it difficult to create clear-cut openings.
Their persistence was finally rewarded in the 82nd minute when Maseko’s shot struck the hand of Ladislav Krejčí inside the penalty area. After the referee pointed to the spot, Mokoena stepped up and calmly sent Kovář the wrong way to level the scores at 1-1.
Czechia piled on late pressure in search of a winner, but the South African defence stood firm. Bafana nearly snatched all three points themselves through a slick passing move that ended with Evidence Makgopa firing straight at the goalkeeper.
The draw leaves South Africa with one point from two matches after their opening defeat to Mexico, meaning qualification remains possible but will likely depend on victory in their final Group A fixture.
