Sports Reporter
Bafana Bafana were held to a 1-1 draw by Panama in Durban on Friday, with Oswin Appollis equalising after the break in a match South Africa controlled but failed to turn into victory.
Panama went ahead in the 23rd minute and took that lead into the break, punishing South Africa despite long stretches of pressure from the home side.
Bafana responded quickly after halftime, with Appollis finding the equaliser in the 48th minute to bring Hugo Broos’ team back on level terms.
Match statistics showed Bafana had the better of possession, attempts at goal, and corners, but their inability to turn territorial control into a winning scoreline ultimately denied them victory.
ESPN recorded South Africa with 64.1% possession, 12 shots to Panama’s three, and five efforts on target compared with the visitors’ two.
The South African side spent much of the evening on the front foot but lacked precision in the final third.
Panama, ranked higher by FIFA, made far less of the ball but still capitalised on a defensive lapse to take the lead.
The draw gives Broos useful material to work with ahead of the second meeting between the sides in Cape Town on Tuesday, as Bafana continue to fine-tune combinations and sharpen their attack during the international window.
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