Dikgang Ngcobo came off the bench to help the South African Men’s U20 National Team (Amajita) to a 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso in an international friendly match played on Wednesday.

Dikgang Ngcobo came off the bench to help the South African Men’s U20 National Team (Amajita) to a 1-1 draw against Burkina Faso in an international friendly match played on Wednesday, 23 July at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The second half substitute took just five minutes on the pitch, after replacing Skhumbuzo Mazibuko, to equalise for Amajita in the 58th minute.

The home side had taken the lead six minutes from the break after defender Aubrey Maphosa was adjudged to have handled inside the box. Jean Emmanuel Zongo coolly slotted from the penalty spot, sending South Africa’s goalkeeper Jethren Barr the wrong way.

Both sides had started the game like a house on fire, having a go at each other – but with little action in front of goal. Burkina Faso had the better ball possession buoyed by the close to 500 fans in the stadium. But South Africa held firm and kept shape until they conceded the penalty.

The second half was a replica of the first but this time with more chances, as the both keepers were kept busy. Both sides missed goal-scoring opportunities in the opening minutes of this stanza, the goalkeepers making several difficult saves.

Amajita got a scare when late in the half Tshepo Liphoko was stretchered off after colliding with the opposition keeper. He sustained a cut above his right eye but according to the team doctor it is nothing too serious.

This was South Africa’s first match of four on the tour of West Africa.

On Thursday, 24 July the squad travels to Bamako for a date with Mali on Saturday, 26 July.

The remaining two matches will be against Senegal in Dakar and Ivory Coast in Abidjan.

This is how they lined up:

Burkina Faso U20: Ouedraogo Rodrique (GK), Gouba Stephane (C), Nikiema Ben Daouda, Boni D. L. Trova, Zagre Ben Aziz, Dao Ben Aziz, Touma Leyna, Sirima-A-Gafar, Belem Adolphe, Zongo Jean Emmanuel, Bande Boureima

Subs: Sore Armel, Belem-Y-Hamede, Gbade Anderson, Kpan Cyrille Dominique, Pitroipa Clement, Compaore Bassirou, Sanou-S-Arnaud

Coach: Barro Ben Moctar

South Africa U20: 22-Jethren Barr (GK), 3-Bongani Mathabela, 12-Aubrey Maphosa, 2-Madisha Motjeka, 5-Ayabulela Magqwaka (C), 11-Pule Maraisane (Ryan Christian 88th), 18-Sphelele Luthuli, 8-Tlotlo Leepile, 10-Skhumbuzo Mazibuko (Dikgang Ngcobo 53’), 7-Tshepo Liphoko, 15-Fagrie Lakay

Subs: 1-Jody February (GK), 16-Dumisani Msibi (GK), 4-Yagan Sasman, 14-Denwin Farmer, 6-Ryan Christian, 20-Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, 9-Dikgang Ngcobo

Coach: Ephraim Shakes Mashaba

Match Officials: (all from Burkina Faso)

Referee – Ouedraogo Boukari

Ass 1 – Sessouma Drissa

Ass 2 – Ouedraogo Christian

4th Official – Sanogo Boureima