The report says Ivory Coast twice punished South Africa on the counter-attack, with Grace Sery scoring in the first half. For long spells, South Africa struggled to build pressure and left Thembi Kgatlana isolated.
The shift came after Ronnel Donnelly entered the attack. Kgatlana pulled South Africa back into the contest shortly after the 70-minute mark, and Donnelly’s late header helped create the chance Magaia finished. The comeback showed the value of giving Kgatlana support, but a dramatic equaliser cannot erase the attacking problems that preceded it.
According to the report, Ivory Coast have four points, while South Africa have one and a goal difference of -1. With head-to-head records reportedly the first tie-breaker for teams level on points, South Africa cannot rely on a late surge in goal difference to do the work for them. They need a win.
The next test is Burkina Faso, with the report listing the match for 4 August. South Africa must turn the energy of Magaia’s equaliser into a more sustained attacking performance; otherwise, the point against Ivory Coast may prove only a brief reprieve.