South Africa dominated a goalless friendly against Nicaragua on 29 May, controlling proceedings with 86 per cent possession and 22 shots, yet failing to break down a resolute defensive display. The hosts, operating in a 4-2-3-1 formation, generated 2.08 expected goals from six shots on target, but Nicaragua's goalkeeper proved immovable, saving all six attempts at a 100 per cent save rate. Nicaragua, set up defensively in a 5-4-1 shape, offered minimal attacking threat with just three shots and none on target, content to absorb pressure and frustrate their opponents. Despite South Africa's territorial dominance and volume of attempts, clinical finishing eluded them throughout, leaving both sides with a draw that felt like a missed opportunity for the home team in their preparation ahead of competitive fixtures.
SSouth Africa
0–0
Draw
NNicaragua
Starting Line-ups
South Africa · 4-2-3-1Nicaragua · 5-4-1
Tap a player for name & stats · goalassist
Expected Goals (xG)2.080.00
Shots223
Shots on Target60
Possession86%14%
Yellow Cards02
Corners61
Total Goals0
Formation4-2-3-1vs5-4-1
Goalkeeper Performance
Read it this way: PSxG conceded is how dangerous the shots on target were, Goals conceded is how many actually went in, Goals saved is the gap between the two (higher is better, a minus means he should have saved more), and Save % is the share of on-target shots kept out.
South Africa GK
PSxG conceded0.00
Goals conceded0
Goals saved0.00
Nicaragua GK
PSxG conceded–
Goals conceded0
Save %100.0%
South Africa's keeper performed right in line with expectations, while Nicaragua's keeper kept out 100% of the shots on target.
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Inside the dashboards
Attack vs DefensexG, shots & goals — Home/Away per competition
Form Index & ReboundL5 momentum bar with rebound state per team
Goal Geolocation MapWhere the team scores & concedes — pitch heat
Cards IntelligenceYellow/Red filtered by referee & formation
Corner MasteryDistribution per opponent & tactical context
Top Scorers Cross-RefSquad ranked vs opponent & double-scorer combos
Referee TendencyTeam output under each referee they played for
Goalkeeper WeaknessWhere the keeper concedes — by zone & foot