South Africa’s Under-23 side were held to a 1-1 draw by Algeria in Bloemfontein as the visitors responded strongly to their 3-1 defeat in Wednesday’s opening friendly.
The second match, played at Dr Molemela Stadium on Sunday, provided a more demanding test for the South Africans, who were unable to secure successive victories but gained the competitive workout they wanted ahead of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations and Olympic qualifiers in November.
Algeria were more robust in the challenge and showed clear improvement from the first meeting, when South Africa had won comfortably at the same venue.
The home side created the better opportunities during the opening period. Mfundo Vilakazi came close when he sent a powerful effort from the edge of the penalty area narrowly wide of goalkeeper Yasser Zitouni’s left-hand post.
South Africa took the lead in the 34th minute after Kutlwano Letlhaku recovered possession from a partially cleared corner on the left. He beat Abdelouahab Satta with a twisting run before sending the ball across the goalmouth, where Algeria defender Mohamed Faiz Belgourai inadvertently turned it into his own net.
Their advantage lasted only two minutes.
Karim Boutera exploited space on Algeria’s right and delivered a precise cross towards Ben Ahmed Kohili, who brought the ball down between the South African defenders. Goalkeeper Kgoleng Ratisani was unable to claim it, allowing Kohili to finish into an unguarded net and restore parity.
The weather made conditions difficult in Bloemfontein, with rain at times falling heavily on the Dr Molemela Stadium pitch. The second half consequently produced fewer clear chances, with both teams involved in a physical and uncompromising contest.
South Africa came closest to finding a winner when another corner was not fully cleared and the ball fell to substitute Faiz Abrahams. The Kaizer Chiefs winger struck through a crowded penalty area, but his effort was cleared off the line.
Neither side could find a decisive moment after that, leaving the teams level in the second of their two preparation matches.