Makgopa hits double as Bafana Bafana edge Uganda in five-goal thriller!

Bafana Bafana recorded a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Uganda in an international friendly which was played at the Orlando Stadium on Thursday.

Uganda took the lead in the 17th-minute through Ibrahim Orit whose unstopple header sailed past Ronwen Williams.

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Orit was lurking behind the Bafana Bafana defence to connect with Emmanuel Okwi’s well-delivered cross into the box.

Bafana Bafana struggled to string more than five passes together, and for that reason, they couldn’t penetrate the Uganda defence.

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Okwi had a chance to double Uganda’s lead minutes after his team had scored following a defensive error by Nkosinathi Sibisi.

However, the Uganda captain fluffed his left-footed attempt wide of Williams’ goal from inside the Bafana Bafana box.

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Williams had to position himself well to make a great save on the stroke of half-time after Bafana Bafana had failed to clear their lines properly.

Uganda would take their lead into the dressing rooms as Bafana Bafana were still struggling to test their goalkeeper Watenga.

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It is worth noting that Bafana Bafana had no shot at goal, let alone on target, in the first 45 minutes.

Bafana Bafana’s shot at goal came at the start of the second half through Bongokuhle Hlongwane but it was easily parried away for a corner by Watenga.

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But that was because Bafana Bafana looked different and threatening after the introduction of Thabiso Kutumela and Evidence Makgopa.

The home side would be rewarded for their impressive display in the 62nd-minute as Makgopa restored parity for his first international goal on debut.

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This was after a good combination play involving Lebohang Maboe, Kutumela and Sibusiso Mabiliso.

Kutumela should have made it 2-1 to Bafana Bafana minutes later but his effort was easily saved by Watenga from close range.

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Bafana Bafana’s second goal would come, however, in the 66th-minute when Hlongwane used the space in front of him to storm into the Uganda box before unleashing past Watenga.

Makgopa had an opportunity to put the game to bed with over 10 minutes to go as he was played through on goal.

And with only Watenga to beat, the Baroka marksman failed to convert as his attempt was brilliantly saved by the Ugandan goalkeeper.

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Makgopa would make amends with eight minutes to go as he blasted his shot past Watenga to complete his brace, and make it 3-1 to Bafana Bafana.

Uganda pulled one back in the 90th-minute as Abdul headed past Williams for his side’s second goal of the match.

Ultimately, Bafana Bafana held on to their slim lead to record their first win since Hugo Broos was appointed Head coach in May 2021.

Bafana Bafana starting XI:

Ronwen Williams (captain), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Rushine De Reuck, Njabulo Ngcobo, Innocent Maela, Njabulo Blom, Aubrey Modiba, Keagan Dolly, Lebohang Maboe, Thabiso Kutumela, Bongokuhle Hlongwane.