South Africa secured their first win to move top of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers Group D when they edged Senegal 2-1 at the Peter Makoba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

It was the visitors who started the game on a higher note missing clear chances to go ahead minutes after the start. Liverpool’s striker Sadio Mane failed to put Lions of Teranga ahead in the seventh minute with a header missing the goal mouth by a whisker, becoming one of the best chances in the first half.

Moussa Kanote had also a clear chance in 24th minute but his shot went straight to South Africa keeper Itumeleng Khune hands.Bafana Bafana first attempt came the 38th minute from Keegan Dolly after picking out Senegal keeper Abdoulaye Diallo.

The home side went into the lead in the 42nd minute in controversial penalty that was put into the net by Bidvest Wits’ Thulani Hlatshwayo.

Three minutes later a good move delivered from Dolly cross located Ajax midfilder Mpho Makola, who laid the ball back to Thulani Serero to find the far corner of the net with a first time shot to make it 2-0.

Senegal came back into the second half a better side as they fought back to get back into the game pushing for an equaliser.

Mame Diof had his effort from a header in the 70th minute that went wide.Five minutes Cheik Ndoye pulled one back for Senegal in the 75th minute after a goal mouth scramble.

Lions of Teranga continued piling the pressure and Shakes Masamba coached side was forced to put their men at the back to claim the win.

The win sees South Africa move top of the Group with four points before Cape Verde vs Burkina Faso clash  later tonight.

Line-ups:
South Africa: Khune; Hlatshwayo, Mathoho, Coetzee,Matlaba – Jali, Mabunda – Makola, Serero (Klate 81′), Dolly (Kekana 72′) – Rodgers (Grobler 58′)

Senegal: Diallo; Ciss, Mbodji, Koulibaly, Gassama (Toure 83′) – Kouyate, Gueye, Diame (N’Doye 46′) – Mane, Keita Balde, Konate (Diouf 60′)