Johannesburg – A Tlou Segolela brace lifted Bafana Bafana to a 2-0 victory over Lesotho in an international friendly match at the National Stadium, in Maseru, Lesotho on Sunday.
Bafana had the better chances throughout, and the home side battled to threaten the South African defence.
Composed finishes from Segolela in either half helped Gordon Igesund's men to a valuable win.
Bafana next play World Cup qualifiers against Central African Republic in Yaounde, Cameroon on June 8 and then Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on June 16.
The match began with a solid Ricardo Nunes run along the left flank allowed Bafana to launch their first attack, but Parker was unable to connect his head to Nunes accurate delivery.
Shortly after, Katlego Mashego was put through on goal by Tshabalala, but Mashego's left-footed effort slid across the face of goal and narrowly wide of the mark.
The visitors enjoyed the majority of possession early on, but could turn their dominance into goals, as further chances fell to Oupa Manyisa, Tlou Segolela and Parker.
But it was Parker who came closest in the 32nd minute when his excellent free-kick from just outside the area rattled the crossbar.
Mashego was on hand to direct the rebound goalwards, but Lesotho goalkeeper Kholuoe Phasumane made a simple stop deny Bafana the opener.
Lesotho soon found their rhythm and Thulo Ranchobe was close to scoring before the interval, when his volley forced a strong stop from Bafana shot-stopper Wayne Sandilands.
Sandilands was called into action a minute later, this time Litsepe Marabe found space in the area, allowing a free header, but Sandilands got his hands to the ball to snuff out Lesotho's promising attack.
Igesund's men soaked up the pressure late in the opening half and snatched the lead on the stroke of half-time.
A quick counter attacking movement allowed Tshabalala to get into an advanced position deep in the Lesotho half, before delivering a dangerous ball across the goalmouth.
Phasumane was left stranded behind a wall of bodies as the ball crept past, straight to Segolela who tapped home for the opener.
On the hour mark Segolela grabbed his second after Phasumane spilt a ball in the box from Daine Klate. Segolela, though, still had to make a good turn away from a defender and found the back of the net to make it 2-0 to Bafana. – Sapa