Bafana Bafana edge Costa Rica

Andile Jali scored just before the 10-minute mark to secure the win over the 2014 World Cup quarterfinalists in an global friendly.

As the Costa Ricans chased the elusive equaliser, Mashaba said he was really impressed by his defence which he described as watertight and uncompromising when the hosts threw everything into attack.

“Every time I was preparing to come back I was thinking, ‘something is going to happen, ‘ and it always did”, Oviedo said. Cost Rica has two loses, two draws and one win in their last five matches.

“Looking at how they competed here, I am still surprised that South Africa is not dominating Africa and even most top countries in the world”, Navas said after the game.

Shakes Mashaba’s South Africa meet Angola in a two-legged tie, the first leg of which takes place on November 8, in the second round of CAF qualification.

There is a lot of pressure both on the team and coach, Goal.com reported.

Itumeleng Khune, who was guilty of a major error which gifted a goal to Mauritania in South Africas 3-1 loss in an Afcon qualifier last month, handed Costa Rica a scoring opportunity in the third minute with a poor piece of distribution, but he quickly redeemed himself by saving the shot from from Joel Campbell. The team excused left-back Thabo Matlaba‚ midfielder Mpho Makola, and striker Thamsanqa Gabuza from the match. Later Costa Rica faces Panama. After the fantastic World Cup run a year ago, Costa Rica has fallen from No. 16 down to No. 42 in the Federation Internationale de Football Association world rankings, making them vulnerable.

South Africa in turn has been strong lately. Later South Africa won a rematch.