Nkota Stars As Bafana Brush Zambia Aside In A Friendly
Mohau Nkota was the standout performer as he scored one goal and assisted another in Bafana Bafana’s 3-1 victory over Zambia in a friendly match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Nkota, who left Orlando Pirates in the off-season to join Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, came on in the second half and immediately made an impact, contributing to two goals after Oswin Appollis had given Bafana the lead on the stroke of halftime.
Sixteen minutes after coming on, Nkota cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the far corner to double South Africa’s lead.
For the third goal, Nkota delivered an in-swinging corner that found Sphephelo Sithole, who was left unmarked to nod the ball into an empty net.
Zambia, however, refused to give up and pulled one back in the 90th minute when Joseph Banda slipped the ball between the legs of Sipho Chaine, who had replaced Ronwen Williams for the second half.
Zambia, coached by former Orlando Pirates midfielder Perry Mutapa, put up a strong fight and worked hard to disrupt Bafana’s rhythm.
It became clear that Bafana needed a moment of brilliance to break the deadlock — and it came from Sipho Mbule.
The midfielder evaded his marker before releasing Appollis, who calmly slotted home with a left-footed finish two minutes before halftime, beating goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata.
Before the start of the second half, Bafana coach Hugo Broos made three changes: Nkota replaced goalscorer Appollis, Chaine came on for Williams, and Thalente Mbatha replaced Teboho Mokoena, who was playing his 50th game for Bafana Bafana.
Zambia nearly equalised when Fashion Sakala failed to make solid contact with a flick-on in the box, sending his effort wide from close range.
Bafana then doubled their lead through Nkota’s stunning left-footed strike after receiving a clever pass from Mbule. The former Pirates winger cut inside at the edge of the area before rifling the ball into the far corner, leaving Nsabata rooted.
Having scored Bafana’s second, Nkota turned provider for the third, delivering a superb corner that Sithole headed home with ease.
Zambia threatened again when Sakala found himself one-on-one with Chaine, but the angle was too tight and he dragged his shot wide.
They eventually found a consolation goal late in the match, capitalising on a lapse in concentration from the Bafana defence, with Banda finishing calmly.
This match served as Bafana Bafana’s final preparation before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, which runs from 21 December to 18 January.
