A solitary goal by Mohau Mokate was enough for Bafana Bafana to edge Namibia by 1-0 in a tightly contested COSAFA Cup Plate final played at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenberg on Friday, 7 July.

Both sides came into the clash with the aim of redeeming themselves after failing to reach the final of the southern regional competition.

The match lived up to expectations with both sides going at each other from the get go.

The home side survived a scare in the opening five minutes after a careless foul by Amajita skipper, Tercious Malepe on Ronald Ketjijuere saw Namibia being awarded a spot kick which was sent wide by the captain to the relief of the hosts.

Bafana could have also opened the scoring sheet immediately after with Judas Moseamedi not being able to connect to a delightful ball by Nduduzo Sibiya which went over his head with the goal at his mercy.

Another good goal scoring opportunity presented itself to the hosts when a loose ball from a Malepe throw in was lashed onto by Mothobi Mvala who failed to direct his effort.

Moseamedi was back to test the keeper again after Mohau Mokate did well to head down a ball for the burly striker who sent his fierce strike straight into the keeper’s hands.

The deadlock finally broke in the 36th minute following a long ball from Boalefa Pule not being dealt with by the Namibian defence for Mokate to unleash an effort that deflected off the defender to make it’s way to the back of the net.

Coming into the second half, Namibia were determined to find the equaliser but hardly did much to threaten the Bafana Bafana defence.

A golden opportunity came the way of Moseamedi to get his second goal of the tournament after spotting Maximilian Mbaeva off his line but his lobbed effort couldn’t find the back of the net.

Petrus Shitembi should have levelled matters just after the hour mark with an excellent strike from outside the box but his misdirected lacked direction.

Namibia moved their attacking efforts a notch up and sent more numbers forward hoping to force the match into extra time.

Bafana almost surrendered their lead in the 77th minute after Denzil Haoseb’s header that had the beating of Pule came off the crossbar.

Namibia’s continued efforts were almost rewarded right at the death when miscommunication between the Bafana Bafana defence saw the ball find it’s way through to goal but substitute, Sandile Mthethwa came to the rescue to clear the ball off the line.