Algeria improve and hold SA U-23 to a tough draw in second match

A talented South African Under-23 team could not manage a second win against their Algerian counterparts in their second friendly on Sunday but will feel the matches gave them the workout they were looking for.

Algeria put up more of a fight and were tougher in the challenge in the second clash at Dr Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, determined to improve on their 3-1 defeat at the same venue on Wednesday.

The two friendlies were being played in preparation for U-23 Africa Cup of Nations and Olympic qualifiers to be held in November.

South Africa had their chances in the first half, including Mfundo Vilakazi’s drive from the edge of the box that was shaped inches wide of goalkepeer Yasser Zitouni’s left upright.

From a half-cleared corner Kutlwano Letlhaku won the ball on the left, beat Abdelouahab Satta on a mazy run and his ball aross the face was turned into his own goal by Mohamed Faiz Belgourai in the 34th minute.

Just two minutes later Algeria equalised when Karim Boutera found space on the right and his cross was accurate to be chested down by Ben Ahmed Kohili, in-between his markers in the middle. Keeper Kgoleng Ratisani missed an opportunity to take the ball and Kohili finished into an open goal.

On a gloomy afternoon in Bloemfontein where at times the rain pelted the Dr Molemela pitch, chances were harder to come by in a tough and uncompromising second half.

The closest anyone came was when uncleared South African corner fell to substitute Faiz Abrahams, the Kaizer Chiefs winger’s shot through a crowded area cleared off the line.