Bafana Bafana were held to a 0-0 draw by Mauritius in their 2025 COSAFA Cup clash at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, but still finished top of Group A and will advance into the semifinals later this week.

South Africa created numerous chances against the Dodos, but were unable to find the back of the net. However, a concurrent 3-1 win for Zimbabwe over Mozambique in the other Group A match at the Free State Stadium helped the host nation out.

Bafana, the Mambas and the Warriors all finished on four points, and were level in head-to-head terms (three points apiece in that mini league), but South Africa’s goal difference of +1 was enough to see them ranked ahead of Zimbabwe (0) and Mozambique (-1).

SA created attacking pressure from early on, and Boitumelo Radiopane nearly forced a goal in the sixth minute with a shot from the left of the penalty area which almost beat Mauritius goalkeeper Kevin Jean-Louis at his near post.

Bafana Bafana also posed a major threat from set pieces, with midfielder Gape Moralo providing excellent deliveries into the danger area from dead-ball situations.

In the 28th minute, his free kick picked out Aden McCarthy in front of goal, but the defender mis-timed his header and was unable to produce an effort on target.

Ten minutes later, another Moralo free kick found the head of Ime Okon, but the centre-back’s glancing header flashed wide of the mark to keep the hosts frustrated in their search for an opening goal.

Mauritius offered relatively little in their own attacking endeavours, though they did have one good chance midway through the first half, as Lindsay Rose had a free header from a corner kick, but put his effort over the target.

In the early moments of the second half, Bafana had a fine effort through Puso Dithejane, whose angled drive forced a fine save from Jean-Louis, while Jason Ferre sent a long-range effort just wide at the other end on the hour mark.

The hosts turned to their bench to try and force a change in proceedings, with Victor Letsoalo, Sanele Barns and Masindi Nemtajela introduced midway through the second half, while Mokibelo Ramabu and Kabelo Dlamini arrived later in the game, but unlocking the Mauritius defence proved impossible.

In fact, the Dodos should have broken the deadlock with just under a quarter hour of regulation time remaining, but substitute Cooper Legrand shot over from close range after a flick-on had found him unmarked in the penalty area.

Ultimately the match finished in a stalemate, but South Africa squeezed through as Group A winners and will face the winners of Group D (Comoros or Botswana) in the semifinals on Friday.

South Africa 0
Mauritius 0

SA: Mbanjwa, Dithejane (Ramabu 76’), McCarthy, Okon, Letlapa (Barns 66’), Mkhize, Mngonyama, Moralo (Dlamini 87’), Sebelebele (Nemtajela 66’), Radiopane, Shabalala (Letsoalo 66’)

Mauritius: Jean-Louis, Aristide (Botlar 85’), Caliste, Citorah, Collard, De Robillard (Arthee 73’), Ferre (Legrand 73’), Francois (Mootoo 83’), Langue, Latouchent, Rose