The Confederations Cup has opened with hosts South Africa held to a 0-0 draw by Iraq in Johannesburg.
The Group A game was preceded by a lavish opening ceremony attended by FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
The Bafana Bafana left Steven Pienaar on the bench due to a niggling injury, but it was Thembinkosi Fanteni who went into the history books with the fastest booking in Confederations Cup records, just 120 seconds after the opening whistle.
The hosts were given an early scare when Karrar Jasim forced a save out of Itumeleng Khune four minutes in.
Soon after it was Bernard Parker’s turn to test the reflexes of Mohammed Kassid, although he did not make the most of static Iraqi defending.
The pressure began to grow and Mohammed palmed a MacBeth Sibaya curler to safety, then got down to block Fanteni’s effort.
The second half was dominated by South Africa, but they struggled to create clear-cut chances with Teko Modise drilling just wide and Fanteni’s header skimming the bar.
Substitute Katlego Mashego nearly had a dream start to the game with a great chance within 60 seconds of stepping on to the field, but he hit it straight at the goalkeeper in a one-on-one.
The home side were very unlucky five minutes from time, as Kagisho Dikgacoi thought he had given them the victory with a header that beat Mohammed, but it took a deflection off teammate Parker.
Group A continues with Spain taking on New Zealand at 19.30 UK time.
South Africa 0-0 Iraq
South Africa: Khune, Gaxa, Masilela, Mokoena, Mhlongo, Sibaya, Modise, Dikgacoi, Booth, Parker (Pienaar 85), Fanteni (Mashego 78)
Iraq: Mohammed Kassid, Mohammed Ali Kareem, Basem, Fareed, Nashat, Emad (Alaa Zahra 76), Younis, Karrar (Hawar 74), Salam, Ali Husseine Rehema, Mahdi (Salih 88)
Ref: Larrionda (Uru)
Attendance: 52,522
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