South Africa beat Ghana 1-0 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup (CAF) qualifier at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday afternoon.
As a result the Bafana Bafana moved to the top of the Group G standings, while the Black Stars dropped to second place on the log.
It was Ghana who got off to the better start, with the likes of Andre Ayew and Mubarak Wakaso causing a bit of havoc in the final third.
South Africa squandered a chance in the 12th minute when Siyanda Xulu managed to head over from six-yards, after getting on the end of Nyiko Mobbie ‘s corner.
Xulu was presented another opportunity in the 29th minute when he got on the end of Teboho Mokoena’s free-kick, however the defender failed to direct his header on target.
Pacy Tau was proving to be tough to handle for the Ghana defence and he come close in the 32nd minute, as he curled one inches over the upright from a tight angle.
Black Stars side were in control in the closing stages of the half and almost went ahead in the 41st minute but Gideon Mensah failed to steer his header on target from close range.
However, Ghana failed to trouble Bafana goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Six minutes after the restart and there was yet another glaring miss from Black Stars, Yaw Yeboah the guilty man this time – after being sent clear through on goal by Joel Fameyeh, he could have scored himself or picked out Alexander Djiku, but instead played an attempted pass too close to the only defender in the box, De Reuck, who made a good clearance.
South Africa improved as the match progressed, but they squandered a good scoring opportunity when an unmarked Tau opted to pass the ball which was cleared away rather than shoot at goal from inside the box.
At the other end, Mubarak Wakaso witnessed a number of his crosses finding no one to do justice to them inside Williams’ goal area.
A dangerous cross from Mokoena on the right was missed by substitute Victor Letsoalo, but Bongokuhle Hlongwane scuffed effort in the centre of the box and the ball rolled into the back of the net.
Ghana nearly hit back three minutes but Emmanuel Lomotey well-taken free kick went just over the bar as South Africa claimed maximum points in their second Group G match.
How they lined up:
South Africa: Williams, Morena, De Reuck, Xulu, Mobbie, Mvala, Mokoena, Tau, Brooks, Hlongwane, Makgopa.
Subs: Mothwa, Bvuma, Blom, Dube, Ngcobo, Links, Maart, Mabiliso, Mbule, Singh, Letsoalo.
Ghana: Ofori, Fatawu Mohammed, G. Mensah, Djiku, J. Mensah, Wakaso, Ashimeru, Lomotey, Fameyeh, A.Ayew, Yeboah
