South Africa settles for Namibia draw

By foxsports
Published

Katlego Mphela grabbed a 70th-minute equalizer to spare South Africa's blushes and salvage a 1-1 draw for the World Cup host against neighbor Namibia in Wednesday's friendly in Durban.

Rudolf Bester scored just before halftime to give the visitors a surprise lead at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and spoil the final part of the 100-day countdown celebrations.

Razundara Tjikuzu crossed for Bester to send his 42nd-minute shot into the corner of the net and stun the 35,000-strong crowd at the World Cup venue.

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Mphela came to the host's rescue with 20 minutes to go as he fired in the equalizer.

Without English Premier League stars Steven Pienaar, Benni McCarthy and captain Aaron Mokoena, South Africa showed its attacking intent in the first half with standin captain Teko Modise of Orlando Pirates twice testing Namibia goalkeeper Attiel Mbaha.

Bafana Bafana missed a string of goalscoring chances in the first 45 minutes, while Quinton Jacobs smashed a freekick over South Africa's bar at the other end as Namibia threatened on the counterattack.

Ranked 111 in the world, Namibia stunned the home fans when Tjikuzu beat recalled defender Bradley Carnell and crossed for Bester to score.

South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira made five changes in a bid to inspire his team and Mphela, who scored twice against Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup, was the man to equalize.

Parreira on Thursday names his squad for the upcoming training camp in Brazil.

Lineups:

South Africa: Itumeleng Khune, Bevan Fransman, Anele Ngcongca (Bryce Moon, 60), Siyabonga Sangweni, Bradley Carnell (Lucas Thwala, 61), Thanduyise Khuboni, Lance Davids (Renielwe Letsholonyane, 45), Lebohang Mokoena (Tlou Segolela, 45), Tsholofelo Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala (Daine Klate, 60), Katlego Mphela.

Namibia: Attiel Mbaha, Hartman Toromba, Razundara Tjikuzu (Heinrich Isaacks, 73), Richard Gariseb, Nelson Geingob, Oliver Risser, Quinton Jacobs, Ninja Karongee, Sidney Plaatjies (Paulus Shipanga, 78), Wilko Risser (Michael Pienaar, 90), Rudolph Bester (Rudi Louw, 87).