Bafana Bafana secured qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals with a 2-1 victory over Liberia in Group K at Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium on Tuesday. Despite the sweltering heat of Monrovia, South Africa took the lead in the 19th minute when Zakhele Lepasa scored. Liberia captain William Jebor equalised in the 35th minute, but Mihlali Mayambela restored the lead eight minutes into the second half, confirming Bafana’s place at Ivory Coast 2023 and sending South Africa to their 11th Afcon tournament.
The win came after a precarious start to the qualification campaign; Bafana had drawn 2‑2 with Liberia at Orlando Stadium the previous Friday, leaving their hopes hanging by a thread. The crucial victory eased fans’ anxieties and gave coach Hugo Broos his first major tournament with the team. With this result, South Africa’s final Group K match against Morocco became a dead rubber, as they are now guaranteed second place in the pool.
It was South Africa’s first away win since October 2021, and it denied Liberia a return to the tournament they last attended in 2002, when legendary striker George Weah made his international swansong. Bafana returned to Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium, a venue they last visited in June 2001 for a 1‑1 draw in a 2002 Afcon qualifier, and this time collected maximum points on the artificial turf.
Liberia made one change to the lineup that started on Friday, bringing in Allen Njie for Ghana‑born Jamal Arago. Coach Broos, however, made several bold adjustments: he benched Lyle Foster and Themba Zwane, started Lepasa up front, and included Mayambela, Siphephelo Sithole, Nyiko Mobbie and Innocent Maela in the starting eleven. In a first half with few chances, Lepasa repaid Broos’ confidence by beating goalkeeper Tommy Songo after a pass from Thapelo Morena. Liberia responded when Bafana captain Ronwen Williams inadvertently deflected Jebor’s grounder into his own net. The visitors nearly reclaimed the lead just before halftime, but Maela inexplicably blasted his effort over the bar despite an open goal.
Mayambela’s effort paid off eight minutes into the second half: after Songo saved a shot, Mayambela followed up to restore Bafana’s lead, scoring his second international goal. Although Liberia pressed relentlessly in the tense final stages, South Africa held on to their slim advantage and clinched qualification.
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