Bafana Bafana got 2009, and their preparations for the Confederations Cup in June, off to a winning start when they defeated Zambia 1-0 in a friendly international played at Atteridgeville's Super

Stadium on Tuesday night.

Bafana have now stretched their winning record to five matches and

overall there were a lot of positives to come out of the match.

Kaizer

Chiefs winger Siphiwe Tshabalala was outstanding and grows in

confidence with every game for club and country.

Zambia decided to beef up their squad by including Free

State Stars keeper Kennedy Mweene, Golden Arrows defender Joseph

Musonda, SuperSport United midfielder Noah Chivuta and Mamelodi

Sundowns striker Collins Mbesuma. Originally Zambia had named a squad

from players that play in the Zambian league.

Bafana head coach Joel Santana used three substitutes in Katlego Mashego, new

cap Abia Nale and Lebogang Mothibantwa who

came in during referee's optional time.

The idea was to have a look at what depth he has in the PSL with an

eye on next month's friendly against Chile in Polokwane scheduled for

February 11.

Mweene was the star of the first half when he thwarted the Bafana

strikers time and again with some breath taking saves. Bafana were well

on top and Itumeleng Khune in Bafana's goal was not called upon to make

a single save in a one-sided opening 45 minutes dominated by the home

side.

Mabhudi Khenyeza was put through in the 17th minute by captain on the night Teko Modise but the Urban Warriors star lost possession. He then headed wide after he beat Mweene to a tremendous cross from the in-form Tshabalala in the 19th minute.

Teko Modise brought out the best in the agile Mweene when the Free State

Stars keeper did well to save his in-swinging free kick in the 34th

minute and four minutes later brilliantly saved Modise's powerful

close- range header that had a goal written all over it.

But Mweene was forced to leave the field injured in the 49th minute

and was replaced by Davy Kaumbua.

But the new keeper had no time to settle in when he was forced to

pick the ball out of his net after he was beaten by a superb trademark

Modise free kick in the 53rd minute that gave the home side a deserved

1-0 lead.

The goal woke up the Zambians who finally decided to make a game of

it and Khune pulled off a stunning save from a powerful Chivuta rocket

on 55 minutes.

However, Bafana weathered the mini storm and quickly regained control

of the game. And in the end emerged 1-0 victors.

Team:

SA: Khune, Gaxa, Khumalo, Gould, Twala, Tsutsulupa, Dikgacoi, Tshabalala (Mothibantwa '89), Modise, Moriri (Mashego '69), Khenyeza (Nale '83).