AFCON: South Africa defeat Ghana B team in pre-tournament friendly

South Africa managed to squeeze out a 1-0 victory over Ghana’s domestic-based national team in a pre-Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) friendly on Tuesday.

The fixture was a final preparatory exercise for Bafana Bafana ahead of their trip to Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Both sides produced a scrappy first half despite South Africa enjoying a lion share of ball possession at the Dobsonville Stadium.

Notwithstanding the large percentage of possession by the hosts, the one-time African champions could not find a shot on target in five strikes with Ghana registering just once against keeper Rocardo Goss in the first half.

The Black Galaxies came through with their only dangerous attack when Emmanuel Annor raced down the left side into South Africa’s area however his attempt to lob the ball into the net ended up in the hands of goalkeeper Ricardo Goss.

South Africa continued their dominance in midfield and Orlando Pirates forward, Sipho Mbule came close to scoring in the 22nd minute but his effort went a fraction wide off the upright.

Ghana occasionally come up with some decent work in midfield but lacked the finishing touch in the opponent’s final third. The first half concluded with little scoring opportunity created by both sides.

South Africa threatened very early in the second department of the game with Mbule and Evidence Makgopa, with Ghana sitting deep into their own half to contain the incessant pressure.

South Africa shot themselves ahead when Mbule erupted the home fans with a stunning strike from distance in the 57th minute.

A miscommunication between Ghana keeper Lawrence Osei and defender Razak Simpson nearly gifted South Africa with the second goal but Makgopa fluffed the opportunity to double the tally in the 64th minute.

Ghana kept sitting on a jagged edge for most of the second half as South Africa continued to knock at their defence for the second goal. Ghana broke away in the 75th minute with Prince Owusu but the Medeama forward blew his effort wide.

Nations FC attacker Emmanuel Annor struck the upright three minutes later after managing to beat his marker down the right side of the field. Bafana Bafana substitute goalkeeper Sipho Chaine then saved after a goalmouth melee nearly saw Ghana’s effort go behind the net for the equalizer.

With four minutes of added time elapsing, South Africa earned a deserved victory over Ghana. The team will depart for Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations where they are paired against neighbours Zimbabwe, record winners Egypt and Angola in Group B.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is set between December 21 and January 18 with 24 nations going to battle for honours.

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