Jali takes Bafana to victory over Costa Rica

Bafana will square up against Costa Rica at 4am South African time on Friday morning, San Jose’s National Stadium.

“The boys showed they can mix it with the best in the world when their backs are against the wall”.

In the 62nd minute, Costa Rica striker Urenya turned his marker on the edge of the Bafana box, and unleashed a low shot which was deflected out for a corner-kick.

Andile Jali scored the game’s only goal at the Estadio Edgardo Baltodano Briceno in the ninth minute on Thursday.

Cape Town – Shakes Mashaba lauded his Bafana Bafana charges after their victory over Costa Rica and now wants to add Honduras to that list.

“And what can I say about goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune; despite suffering a recurring hamstring injury, he marshalled his defence with aplomb”.

Mashaba made a decision to pull out Bafana’s main striker Sibusiso Vilakazi on the night for FC Twente defensive midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo with 20 minutes left on the clock, and Thulani Hlatshwayo for George Lebese a few minutes later.

South Africa should have doubled their lead in the 57th minute when Masango and Vilakazi combined to put Thulani Serero in on goal, but the Ajax Amsterdam player was unable to beat Navas from a tight angle.

Jali’s neat finish allowed South Africa to control the contest, ahead of their qualifiers against Angola later in October.

Celso Borges nearly brought the home side level in the 87th minute when he went for goal directly from a free kick just outside the penalty area, but his effort flashed just wide of Khunes left-hand upright.

Urena looked risky in patches and his Costa Rica were dominant throughout the second half.