South Africa beats Tanzania 1-0 in friendly

Published May. 14, 2011 10:18 p.m. ET

foxsports

A youthful South Africa team beat Tanzania 1-0 in an international friendly at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.

Defender Siyabonga Sangweni headed in at the back post from a 44th minute corner to give South Africa - which fielded five debutants in its starting lineup - a boost ahead of a crucial African Cup qualifying meeting with Egypt next month.

South Africa was missing first-team regulars, including captain Steven Pienaar, with their overseas sides. Domestic teams also held back players ahead of the decisive final round of games in South Africa's Premier Soccer League next weekend.

But Sangweni dived in to head the only goal just before half time, capitalizing on a misjudgment by Tanzania goalkeeper Kaseja Juma.

Bafana Bafana held off a late surge from the home team to secure its victory. South Africa 'keeper Wayne Sandilands pulled off a string of saves on his debut, twice denying striker John Boko and pushing away a long-range shot by Salum Machaku.

Tanzania had a goal by Shaban Nditi ruled out for offside.

South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane made a string of substitutions in the second half, handing another five players their first international caps.

Mosimane's team plays defending African champion Egypt in Cairo on June 5 with Egypt - the continent's most successful team - on the brink of missing out on the 2012 African Cup of Nations after a disastrous qualifying campaign.