Bafana Bafana struggled to break down a youthful Nicaraguan side in a 0-0 friendly at Orlando Stadium on Friday night, leaving a passionate Johannesburg crowd disappointed.

Despite dominating possession, South Africa could not convert their chances, with veteran striker Lyle Foster missing a key penalty before halftime and several opportunities going begging.

Coach Hugo Broos experimented with his squad, giving debuts to players such as Olwethu Makhanya and Bradley Cross, while rotating other positions to prepare for the World Cup.

Second-half substitutions, including Relebohile Mofokeng at number 10 and Iqraam Rayners up front, added energy, but Bafana still struggled to find the net against Nicaragua goalkeeper Samuel Pineda.

The draw exposes concerns over Bafana's attacking firepower ahead of their World Cup opener against co-hosts Mexico on June 11, followed by matches against Czechia and Korea Republic.Broos and his technical team will need to address finishing issues and sharpen their frontline during preparations at the Mexican base in Pachuca.

While the match allowed the coach to test squad depth and give new players valuable experience, it highlighted the challenge South Africa faces in converting dominance into goals at the highest level.