Zambia rallied from a goal down to see off South Africa 2-1 in an international friendly played at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Keagan Dolly gave Bafana Bafana the lead in the 66th minute with Kelvin Kapamba equalizing twelve minutes later before the latter added his second in the 82nd minute to complete the comeback.
The match took a while to get going, with both sides seemingly afraid of making a mistake.
However, the play was halted in the fourth minute after Lyle Foster went down wreathing in pain forcing the Bafana Bafana technical team to bring in Keagan Dolly.
South Africa had the first shot of the game from Pacy Tau’s free-kick from outside the area but Zambia goalkeeper Sebastian Mwange made a save.
Andile Jali had a chance soon after and should have put Bafana Bafana ahead. Reeve Frosler scuffed a shot on goal, and Motjeka Madisha squared to Jali, who fired over the bar.
The match started to open up after that, and Jalid had another shot, this time from outside the box and closer than the first, a real let-off for the Chipolopolo.
Half an hour in, South Africa goalkeeper Darren Keet had to be alert after Fashion Sakala sent in a low cross from the left in a dangerous area, but the keeper managed to collect ahead of the onrushing Benson Sakala.
The match went into the break 0-0, but the Chipolopolo had not shown inkling on intimidation from South Africa.
In the second half, Bafana Bafana started the game on a high once again and Thulani Hlatswayo’s long cross found Teboho Mokoena in the box in the 48th minute but Mokoena’s header was punched out by Mwange.
Substitute Bruce Bwalya had, arguably, Chipolopolo’s best chance before the hour mark, but his shot was finger-tipped around the post by Keet.
South Africa broke the deadlock in the 66th minute when Tau received the ball on the halfway line before sending a through-ball to Dolly, who took the ball around the Zambia custodian and passed before sending the shot into an empty net.
Zambia immediately came back with a couple of close calls, the first falling to Sakala, who wasted another when he hit wide.
The Copper Bullets then levelled matters when Kelvin Kampamba pulled a cutback from the far side of the area to drill into the bottom corner.
Kermit Erasmus should have given South Africa the lead in the 80th minute, but the midfielder failed to direct his header on target from six-yards out.
However, with eight minutes, to go Zambia took the lead when Ghampani Lungu delivered a beautiful cross to Chaniza Zulu, who made no mistake from close range.
How they lined up:
South Africa XI: 16. Darren Keet, 4. Teboho Mokoena, 8. Lyle Foster, 10. Andile Jali, 11. Themba Zwane, 12. Thabiso Kutumela, 14. Thulani Hlatswayo, 18. Sfiso Hlanti, 19. Percy Tau, 20. Reeve Frosler, 23. Motjeka Madisha
Subs:2. Thibang Phete, 3. Innocent Maela, 5. Abobakar Mobara, 6. Luther Sigh, 7. Keagan Dolly, 9. Siyethemba Mgnuni, 13. Mothobi Mvala, 15. Thabo Modada, 17. Kermit Erasmus, 21. Mosa Lebusa, 22. Ricardo Goss, 24. Gladwin Sitolo
Zambia XI: 1. Sebastian Mwange, 4. Kondwani Chiboni, 23. Zacharia Chilongoshi, 2. Tandi Mwape, 6. Benson Sakala, 15. Kelvin Kapumbu, 17. Kings Kangwa, 11. Lubambo Musonda, 14. Collins Sikombe, 10. Fashion Sakala, 8. Evans Kangwa ©
Subs:16. Jackson Kakunta, 18. Lameck Siame, 5. Luka Banda, 13. Godfrey Ngwenya, 21. Dominic Chanda, 22. Leonard Mulenga, 7. Kelvin Kampamba, 12. Bruce Musakanya, 3. Emmanuel Chabula, 19. Chaniza Zulu, 20. Gamphani Lungu
