Bafana Bafana secured a record away win against Eritrea, defeating them 5-0 at Cairo’s Al-Salam Stadium in their second Group D qualifier for next year’s Afcon. The match saw Relebohile Mofokeng score a brace, while Sphephelo Sithole, Iqraam Rayners, and Luther Singh also found the back of the net. This convincing victory cemented Bafana's position at the top of the group. The South African team had a challenging start, conceding a corner kick in the second minute due to goalkeeper Ronwen Williams mishandling a shot from Eritrea's Ali Sulieman.
Eritrea posed an early threat, with Nahom Tadese’s free-kick from the centre circle hitting the crossbar and Sulieman missing a chance from the rebound. However, Bafana began to gain composure after a forced substitution when Bathusi Aubaas limped off, making way for Brooklyn Poggenpoel. Poggenpoel's introduction proved beneficial as he played progressive passes, one of which led to Mofokeng scoring Bafana’s opener in the 19th minute. This was also Mofokeng's first goal in a Bafana shirt, coming from a pass by Oswin Appollis.
Mofokeng completed his brace on the stroke of halftime with a sublime finish, beating Eritrea goalkeeper Yonathan Sultan after some neat footwork. Bafana extended their lead in the 52nd minute when Sithole pounced on a rebound after Sultan had saved a shot from Appollis. The team continued to dominate, adding their fourth goal courtesy of Rayners just three minutes after the hour mark, beating Sultan with a low-driven shot after being set-up by Appollis.
During the match, Williams made several good saves to deny Eritrea. Bafana's coach, Pitso Mosimane, gave Lebone Seema his debut, introducing him for Olwethu Makhanya in the 74th minute. The match concluded with Bafana's fifth goal, scored by Singh deep in stoppage time with Mofokeng providing an assist. This win showcased Bafana's strength against a lower-ranked opponent.
Bafana played without two key players, Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba, who picked up injuries in their previous 2-1 win over Guinea. The team's ability to secure a convincing win without these players highlights their depth and resilience. The victory was a significant achievement, especially considering the challenging start to the match.
The win demonstrated Bafana's capability to perform under pressure and adapt to challenging situations. The team's young talent, such as Mofokeng, made a notable impact, scoring his first goal and completing a brace. This performance will likely boost the team's confidence as they continue their qualifiers for the Afcon.
Bafana's coach, Pitso Mosimane, will be pleased with the team's overall performance and ability to secure a record away win. The team's next matches will be crucial in determining their final position in the group and their chances of qualifying for the Afcon. With this convincing victory, Bafana has set a strong foundation for their future qualifiers.
Key points
- Bafana Bafana secured a record away win against Eritrea, defeating them 5-0.
- Relebohile Mofokeng scored a brace, contributing significantly to the team's victory.
- The win cemented Bafana's position at the top of Group D in the Afcon qualifiers.
