Bafana Bafana turned drew 1-1 against 39th world ranked Bulgaria in an entertaining friendly international played at a near capacity Orlando Stadium on a freezing Monday night.

Bulgaria were the biggest test for Bafana in 2010 and showed that they are improving with every match.

The new-look Bafana have now gone nine matches unbeaten under Brazilian head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira who took charge of the ailing side last November.

Bafana played with passion, pride and committment and with a bit of luck could easily have beaten their more fancied opponent.

Bafana held the upper hand for most of a fast flowing opening half watched by an enthusiastic vuvuzelas blowing near capacity crowed of 38 000 that created an intimidating and lively atmosphere throughout the 90 minutes.

The home side took the initiative against the Eastern Europeans who looked set to sit back and soak up the pressure. The Bulgarians were physically bigger and stronger than Bafana but it was the home side who finished stronger.

The pitch looked in reasonable condition after the rugby Super 14 semifinal clash between the Blue Bulls and New Zealand Crusaders played here on Saturday night.

Bafana striker Katlego Mphela tested the shaky looking Bulgarian keeper Nikolay Mihaylov with a rasping free kick in the 11th minute that the Bulgarian number one managed to turn for a corner.

Two minutes later Mihaylov struggled with a well directed free kick from livewire winger Siphiwe Tshabalala that he somehow managed to scramble to safety after parrying the Bafana winger’s fierce shot.

Then Bafana captain Teko Modise tried his luck and again Mihaylov managed to block the Orlando Pirates playmaker’s shot in the 16th minute.

This was one of Modise’s best matches for his county. He led by example and controlled the midfield with authority. So well had Modise played and led the side that he kept the captain’s armband when regular skipper Aaron Mokoena replaced Sangweni at halftime. However, Modise was surprisingly replaced in the 69th minute by striker Bernard Parker who slotted into Modise’s midfield role.

Bafana were rewarded for their pressure when 20-year-old Siyabonga Sangweni headed home Tshabalala’s free kick in the 20th minute that had the fans bouncing with joy.

It was the tall central defender’s first goal for his country.

He has come on in leaps and bounds under national head coach Parreira. The goal virtually sealed the Golden Arrows budding stars place in Parreira’s final squad of 23, which will be named on June 1.

But the goal sparked the 39th ranked Bulgarians into action.

Bafana keeper Itumeleng Khune was called into action for the first time in the 24th minute when he dealt confidently with a shot from Ivelin Popov.

Then Valari Bojinov sent a screamer that skidded fractionally wide of the Bafana upright in the 29th minute.

Bafana paid for their over confidence and poor defending, which allowed Parma striker Bojinov to get behind the home defence and beat Khune from close range to make it 1-1 in the 31st minute.

Bafana came back strongly after the setback, holding midfielder Thanduyise Khuboni shot over the crossbar on 36th minutes. Three minutes later Mihaylov failed to hold a low hard shot from Reneilwe Letsholonyane. But Bulgaria were lucky as there was no Bafana played on hand to slam home the loose ball.

Then both Lucas Thwala and Tshabalala fired over the upright in the 42 and 45th minutes respectively as the home side pushed hard for a second goal.

Bafana right back Siboniso Gaxa started getting his range and crosses accurately into the Bulgarian penalty area in the second half and caused a few problems for the visiting defenders.

Bafana lost their way midway through the second half by allowing the Eastern Europeans back into the game.

Fulham midfielder anchorman Kagisho Dikgacoi who replaced the fiery Letsholonyane at halftime struggled with his timing and did not look 100 percent match fit. But this is exactly what these friendly matches are intended for to get the players fit and battle hardened ahead of the World Cup.

Bafana pushed hard for the winner in the late stages of the second half where the Bulgarians looked to be tiring. But to their credit Bulgaria never gave up held on for the draw against a more determined and hungrier opponent.

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za

Tags: bafana bafana, bulgaria