Senegal and South Africa played to a 1-1 draw in their Group C clash at the African Nations Cup finals on Friday, a result that suits the west Africans far more than Bafana Bafana.
Again Shakes Mashaba's side let a goal lead slip. Oupa Manyisa had them ahead just after halftime, only for Kara Mbodji to equalise with a goal that will raise question marks over the selection of goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane.
The latter was one of two changes for South Africa, the other being the return from suspension of Erick Mathoho in the place of the injured Rivaldo Coetzee.
Mabokgwane replaced Darren Keet, who paid the price for his error in the opening game against Algeria, but selecting a relatively short gloveman against a side with players the size of the Senegalese was a risk.
And so it proved as set-pieces were a joy for the west Africans, who were able to put Mabokgwane under huge pressure, in the face of which he faltered a number of times.
The excellent Sibusiso Vilakazi had two shots inside the opening 10 minutes, the first going over the top and the second beaten away by Senegal keeper Bouna Coundoul.
A clash of heads involving Bafana's Thulani Hlatshwayo saw the side lose a centre-back at around the half-hour mark for the second game running. Ayanda Gcaba, more usually a full back, replaced him.
Vilakazi had another opportunity for Bafana but a bad bounce off the poor Mongomo pitch thwarted him, while at the other end Mame Biram Diouf placed his header straight at Mabokgwane from a corner.
The game remained goalless after the break but South Africa were ahead two minutes into the second period.
Anele Ngconcga's cross from the right found its way all the way through to Manyisa at the back post and he provided a neat finish into the far corner for his first international goal.
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After Senegal correctly had a goal disallowed for offside, they found the equaliser on 60 minutes.
Diop's free kick was floated into the box and an unmarked Mbodji headed over Mabokgwane, who was left in no-man's land having made a play to come for the ball.
It was a soft one for Bafana to concede, but Senegal had given them plenty of warning through the evening.
There were chances at either end after that, the best for South Africa falling to Thabo Matlaba, who saw his goal-bound effort blocked, while Mbodji had yet another headed chance from a corner but this time put it wide.
All four sides are still alive in Group C with one round of matches remaining. Senegal have four points with Ghana and Algeria on three, and South Africa on one.
