SOUTH Africa kept their World Cup qualification hopes alive after a late penalty from Teboho Mokoena earned Bafana Bafana a hard-fought draw against the Czech Republic, while substitute Johan Manzambi scored twice as Switzerland powered to a commanding 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the Group A encounter, South Africa found themselves behind after just five minutes and seven seconds when Michal Sadilek latched onto a clever lay-off and rifled home the earliest goal of the tournament so far.
Having also conceded early against Mexico in their opening match, Bafana Bafana gradually settled into the contest and slowed the tempo, but struggled to create meaningful opportunities.
Their difficulties in attack were reflected by the fact that they managed their first shot on target only in the 74th minute.
However, with less than 10 minutes of normal time remaining, South Africa finally found a breakthrough when Thapelo Maseko saw his effort strike the arm of Pavel Sulc inside the Czech penalty area.
Mokoena stepped up and calmly converted the resulting penalty in the 83rd minute, slotting the ball into the left corner to secure a valuable point for his side.
The result does little to ease the pressure on either team, with their chances of reaching the knockout stages still hanging in the balance.
Mexico and South Korea remain above both nations in the Group A standings, but with the eight best third-placed teams progressing to the last 32 and three points likely to be enough to secure qualification, South Africa and the Czech Republic still have everything to play for in their final group matches.
South Africa will face South Korea on June 25, while the Czech Republic take on co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca at the same time.
In Group B, Switzerland took a significant step towards the World Cup last 32 after defeating Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1 in a match transformed by a dramatic final 20 minutes.
The Swiss struggled for long periods against a disciplined Bosnia side before substitute Manzambi made an immediate impact.
Just two minutes and 46 seconds after coming off the bench, the 20-year-old met a knockdown inside the penalty area and volleyed past Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj in the 74th minute. Remarkably, it was only his fourth touch of the match.
Bosnia’s task became even more difficult when defender Tarik Muharemovic received a straight red card for bringing down Breel Embolo when the striker was through on goal.
Switzerland immediately capitalised on their numerical advantage.
Ruben Vargas doubled the lead with a precise curling effort into the bottom corner before later turning provider in the 90th minute, setting up Manzambi for his second goal of the evening from close range.
The scoring was completed in stoppage time when captain Granit Xhaka converted a penalty after Djibril Sow was fouled by Amar Memic.
Bosnia managed a late consolation through Ermin Mahmic, who produced a spectacular volley following a corner kick, but it proved little more than a footnote in a dominant Swiss finish.
Speaking after the game, Manzambi described the performance as a career-defining moment.
“It’s probably the best moment of my career so far,” he said.
“We knew why we didn’t start well and we had to be patient but we’re a good team and I think we showed that.”
Before Manzambi’s introduction, Switzerland had been frustrated by a combination of wasteful finishing and stubborn Bosnian defending.
The Swiss repeatedly exploited space down the left flank during the opening stages because of Bosnia’s narrow defensive shape.
However, Dan Ndoye fired into the side-netting before failing to connect with a dangerous low cross.
Ndoye also came close early in the second half when his spectacular bicycle-kick effort was tipped over the crossbar before he was eventually replaced by Manzambi.
Bosnia appeared to be gaining momentum and looked the stronger side at one stage, but lost their rhythm after a hydration break midway through the second half.
Veteran striker Edin Dzeko, making his first appearance at his second World Cup, remained Bosnia’s main attacking threat but was unable to find the net before being substituted in the 64th minute.
The victory leaves Switzerland top of Group B with four points, strengthening their chances of reaching the knockout rounds.
Bosnia-Herzegovina, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom of the group with one point and a goal difference of minus three, leaving their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread heading into their final group fixture.