South Africa's Bafana Bafana secured a convincing 5-0 victory over Eritrea in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at Al Salam Stadium in Egypt. Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice, while Sphephelo Sithole, Iqraam Rayners, and Luther Singh also found the net. This win marks Bafana Bafana's second consecutive victory in Group D, with the team maintaining their perfect start to the campaign. The match saw several notable performances, including Mofokeng's individual brilliance.
Mofokeng, an Orlando Pirates Academy product now playing in Belgium, opened the scoring in the 19th minute. He was played through on goal by Oswin Appollis and calmly slotted past the Eritrea goalkeeper. The 21-year-old had previously come close to scoring when he struck the upright. His second goal came in first-half stoppage time, where he collected the ball, weaved past several defenders, and scored a memorable goal.
Bafana Bafana's victory was not without challenges, as they lost key midfield figures due to injuries. Teboho Mokoena missed the match, while Bathusi Aubaas was forced off early. Despite this, the team continued to find spaces in attack and added to their lead. Sithole scored the third goal in the 52nd minute, marking his contribution with a composed finish.
The fourth goal came in the 63rd minute through Iqraam Rayners, giving Bafana Bafana a goal from a recognised striker. Luther Singh completed the 5-0 rout in the referee's stoppage time. This victory keeps Pitso Mosimane's side firmly in control of their AFCON qualification campaign.
The win is a significant boost for Bafana Bafana, who will now turn their attention to a friendly match against Egypt on Sunday. The team will then return to qualifying action later in the campaign. Mosimane's side has collected maximum points from their opening two matches, showcasing their strength in the group.
Coach Pitso Mosimane had expressed his aim to build on his winning start with Bafana Bafana despite warning against underestimating Eritrea. The team's performance demonstrates their ability to adapt to challenges and capitalize on opportunities. The victory also highlights the talent of young players like Mofokeng, who scored a brace in the match.
The result and performance will provide encouragement for Bafana Bafana as they continue their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The team's next match against Egypt will provide an opportunity to test their skills against another top opponent.
Key points
- Relebohile Mofokeng scored a brace in Bafana Bafana's 5-0 victory over Eritrea.
- Bafana Bafana maintained their perfect start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with two consecutive wins.
- The team will face Egypt in a friendly match on Sunday before returning to qualifying action.
