Bafana Bafana gave the fans in the stadium a welcome gift by defeating Ethiopia to reclaim top spot in their FIFA World Cup qualifying group.
Victor Letsoalo, Evidence Makgopa, Yusuf Maart and Njabulo Ngcobo were all listed in the first XI by Hugo Broos.
The pace of the game was quite fast and exciting in the opening exchanges. Ethiopia had a penalty appeal turned down after Abubeker Nasser’s shot appeared to have struck the arm of Rushine de Reuck.
Bafana went on to take the lead in the 11th minute. Maart delivered an in-swinging corner to the back post which Letsoalo headed goal-bound and Getaneh Kebede tried to clear but ended up putting the ball into his own net.
Bafana then survived a scare as Mesud Mohamed’s long-range effort grazed the top of Ronwen Williams’ crossbar before Kebede went close with a snap shot in the box moments later.
However, it was Bafana who missed a glorious opportunity to increase their tally when Bongokuhle Hlongwane broke free on right after a counter-attack and delivered a low cross into the area which Letsoalo blasted over from close range.
Some minutes after the interval, Ethiopia’s dangerous striker and former Bidvest Wits and University of Pretoria player Kebede tried his luck from a difficult position on the right but it went slightly wide and high of the post.
Moments later, Nyiko Mobbie delivered a cross from the right flank for an unmarked Makgopa but the latter couldn’t sort his feet as he scuffed his effort wide but he’s been flagged offside anyway.
Makgopa, who has been lively in the game, was involved again as Teboho Mokoena found him from the right and the Baroka striker produced a deft chip over Ethiopia goalkeeper Fasil Gebremichael but Dr defender Suleman Hamid got back just in the nick of time to clear the ball off the line.
After more goals didn’t arrive, Bafana decided to hold on in the final stages as Abel Yalew volleyed over from Remedan Yusuf’s cross from the right-hand side with five minutes to go.
Ethiopia had one last chance and it was from a free-kick but Yalew’s effort went narrowly wide of the left-hand post as Bafana held on for the three points.