South Africa progressed to the second round of the 2022 Chan qualifiers despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Comoros at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The 1996 African champions came into this first-round second-leg clash leading on aggregate having secured a 1-0 win over the Coelacanths in the first-leg match which was played in Saint Pierre last week Friday. Interim coach Helman Mkhalele named a youthful team once again with Kaizer Chiefs striker Keletso Sifama and Orlando Pirates loanee Boitumelo Radiopane leading the attack.
The hosts dominated the game from the start with a lot of crosses being whipped into the Coelacanths' box for Radiopane and Sifama to attack them. However, goalkeeper Salimo Velonjara dealt well with the aerial balls which were played in his area in the first 20 minutes of the match.
However, Mkhalele's charges upped the tempo just after the half-hour mark and they were finally able to beat Velonjara. Promise Mkhuma's corner-kick found Lesego Sebetlela unmarked at the back post and the Sekhukhune United left-back's thunderous header beat Velonjara, but the crossbar came to the visitors' rescue and they cleared their lines.
Velonjara was a busy man as the half-time break approached as the 33-year-old came out to deny Radiopane from a one-on-one situation after George Matlou had played a superb through pass for the 19-year-old marksman. The score was 0-0 at half-time with Velonjara having kept South Africa at bay.
South Africa continued to control the match with new Kaizer Chiefs signing Matlou and Mamelodi Sundowns hardman Sammy Seabi dominating the midfield battle. The hosts should have broken the deadlock after Matlou played a lovely pass to Sifama who had made a clever run into the away side's box from the right.
The teenage forward then delivered a decent cross which found his strike partner Radiopane unmarked at the back post, but somehow the reigning DStv Diski Challenge Player of the Tournament fired over the crossbar with only Velonjara to beat much to the dismay of Mkhalele and his technical team.
The hosts were presented with another golden opportunity when the creative Matlou set up an unmarked Sifiso Mbidana inside the visitors' box, but the second-half substitute fired wide of the target. Comoros launched late attacks as they looked to snatch an equalising goal and take the match into a penalty shootout.
However, the Islanders couldn't penetrate the hosts' tight defence which was marshalled by Kamohelo Mahlangu and ultimately, the game ended in a 0-0 draw. Therefore, South Africa won the tie 1-0 on aggregate and they progressed to the final round of the 2022 Chan qualifiers where they will face either Angola or Mauritius in August and September this year.
