SAU23 held by Algeria ahead of Olympic qualifiers

South Africa’s U-23 side were unable to claim back-to-back wins over Algeria following a 1-1 draw at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

In preparation for the u23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar next month, the young South African team took the field once again in the second of two friendlies with Algeria after winning the first encounter 3-1 on Thursday.

The home team made a bright start and looked to get on the front-foot in the opening-quarter through a free-kick on the edge of the area by Neo Rapoo, but he was unable to find the net.

Raymond Mdaka’s charges continued to have the better of the momentum and were rewarded albeit fortuitously minutes past the half-hour mark when Faiz Belgouirai scooped a cutback from Kutlwano Letlhaku into his own net.

The Noth Africans responded immediately from their very first attack as Benhamed Kohli popped up unmarked at the far post and tucked in at the near post to finish comfortably.

Second Half:

Mdaka added fresh set of legs at the start of the second half, with Kaizer Chiefs’ Luke Baartman sacrificed after picking up a knock and replaced Stellenbosch FC striker Quwan Plaatjies.

Fennec Foxes were renewed five minutes into the resumption and they went close to regaining the lead when striker Karim Boutera pushed a few yards from midfield and dropped a shoulder before unleashing a strike that crashed against the crossbar.

The momentum shifted to the host minutes later who went on the attack and saw Mfundo Vilakazi cut-in on the far side to get a shot in from a tight angle, but Yasser Zitouni made a stop.

Chiefs winger Faiz Abrahams almost snatched the winner in the final ten minutes through a hard-and-low shot in the area from a second-phase of play, but he had his strike scooped off the goal-line as the encounter ended all square in Bloemfontein.