USA newcomer Agudelo downs Bafana Bafana

The United States beat 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa 1-0 in the Nelson Mandela Challenge friendly international here on Wednesday.

Colombian-born Juan Agudelo, a striker with New York Red Bulls, scored the decisive goal in the 84th minute following numerous attempts at goal by Bob Bradley’s side.

This was a dream debut for the 17-year-old who was set up by another newcomer, Norwegian-born Mikkel Diskerud.

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane said the American team was not easy to break down, adding that his side had expected a tough match.

“Here we are talking of a team that you cannot easily break down. I told my boys not to expect an easy game,” said Mosimane.

Mosimane said he had used the game to experiment with his squad.

The match was a third encounter between the two teams with Bafana Bafana still looking for their first win.

Bafana have a date against Egypt in the qualifiers for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations early in 2011.