South Africa and Egypt played to a 1-1 draw in their African Nations Championship Qualifier opener this weekend as Jamie Webber saved Bafana Bafana’s blushes in the 79^th minute at the Free State Stadium on Sunday evening.

Egypt settled comfortably on the ball during the first 10 minutes of the match and looked to resist South Africa’s high press by progressing play out from the back. Egypt nearly conceded in embarrassing fashion in the 12^th minute after a back pass that went under the goalkeeper’s foot, which missed the upright by a couple of inches.

Then, South Africa came close to scoring the opener from a corner directly from Egypt’s mistake, however, Monnapule Saleng saw his effort sail over the crossbar.

The North African side continued to see much of the ball midway through the first-half but struggled to make the most of their possession in the opposition half.

At the other end of the pitch, Bafana took the game to Egypt with quick transition play in the middle of the park. Nevertheless, Egypt sat tight in warding off any attacks from Bafana Bafana in the first 45.

South Africa thought they had taken the lead moments before the hour-mark after Tendamudzimu Matodzi  found the back of the net with a well-taken header in the penalty area following an accurate cross by Saleng.

However, the linesman spotted Matodze in an offside position as the goal was subsequently chalked off.

Egypt took the lead in the 65^th minute following a thunderous effort by Mohamed Hassan on the edge of the area. With Bafana back tracking toward their own goal, Hassan made the most of a second ball that landed in his path before letting off a venomous left footed shot that left Samukelo Xulu rooted to the spot.

However, South Africa replied in stunning fashion through Jamie Webber in the 79^th minute. After making way down the right hand side of the pitch, Webber collected the ball some 30 yards from goal before letting off a long range effort that left the Egypt goalkeeper soundly beaten

Neither side were able to make the most of their scoring chances thereafter as the game ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

The return fixture between Bafana and Egypt will be played in Egypt on 9 March.

South Africa: (0) 1 (Webber 79’)

Egypt: (0) 1 (Hassan 65’)

South Africa: Xulu, Mashego, Mfolozi, Mngonyama, Baloyi, Webber, Luthuli, Maema, Saleng, Matodzi, Jansen

Subs: Gumede, Smith, Sithebe, Teto, Sam, Seabi, McCarthy

Egypt:  Kassem, Semida, Diaeldin, Elgohary, Abouelenein, Abdellatif, Gadelrab, Ali, Hassan, Abdelaal, Ibrahim

Subs: Sayed, Elsambaskani, M.Abdalla, Aref, Tadros, Aly, R.Abdalla