DHL STADIUM – Bafana Bafana suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Panama in an entertaining international friendly at DHL Stadium on Tuesday night.
The visitors showed early intent, creating a chance inside the opening two minutes, but Bafana Bafana responded with attacking urgency. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena combined well with striker Lyle Foster in the fifth minute, igniting excitement among the home crowd.
South Africa continued to probe, with Bongokuhle Hlongwane coming close in the 11th minute, only for the Panama defence to intervene.
Chances remained limited as both sides battled for control. Tshepang Moremi saw his effort blocked in the 24th minute, while Foster nearly broke the deadlock ten minutes later, but the Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera reacted sharply. Hlongwane had another golden opportunity just before halftime but fired wide, leaving the score 0-0 at the break.
The visitors started the second half strongly, nearly scoring in the 50th minute as their effort drifted wide. Their pressure paid off in the 57th minute when a set-piece situation led to a scrambled finish, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead coutersy of José Córdoba.
Hugo Broos’ side responded with urgency, pushing forward in search of an equaliser. Their efforts were rewarded in the 64th minute when defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi produced a moment of brilliance, unleashing a stunning strike from outside the box to level matters. The spectacular 22-yard effort sparked wild celebrations inside DHL Stadium.
With momentum on their side, South Africa pressed for a winner. Striker Evidence Makgopa came close in the 74th minute, but his shot sailed over the crossbar.
However, Panama had the final say. In the 76th minute, they capitalised on another set-piece opportunity, breaching the Bafana defence to restore their lead and silence the home crowd.
Despite a spirited performance and moments of quality, Bafana Bafana were left to rue missed chances as Panama held on for a hard-fought 2-1 victory in Cape Town.
