South Africa produced a dominant display to beat Eritrea 5-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match, controlling 69% possession and registering 22 shots compared with 11 from their opponents.
The result was built on South Africa’s sustained attacking pressure, with the hosts recording nine shots on target while Eritrea managed only four. South Africa also had 36 touches inside the opposition box, three times Eritrea’s 12.
The statistics showed a significant difference in attacking threat. South Africa recorded an expected goals (xG) figure of 1.69 compared with Eritrea’s 0.49, while their expected goals on target (xGOT) stood at 2.40 against 0.47.
South Africa created two big chances and scored both, while Eritrea also recorded two big chances but failed to convert either. South Africa had 16 shots from inside the box, compared with four for Eritrea.
The visitors attempted seven shots from outside the box, while South Africa had six. Both sides hit the woodwork once.
South Africa also had the advantage in set pieces, winning eight corners compared with Eritrea’s six. They were awarded 16 free kicks, twice Eritrea’s eight.
The difference in possession was reflected in the passing statistics. South Africa completed 595 of their 662 passes, giving them a 90% accuracy rate. Eritrea completed 222 of 298 passes at 75%.
South Africa were also more effective in their distribution in the final third, completing 120 accurate passes from 154 attempts, compared with Eritrea’s 36 accurate passes from 55.
The hosts played 50 long passes and completed 31 of them, while Eritrea attempted 35 and completed only five. South Africa also delivered 16 crosses, compared with six from Eritrea.
South Africa created 14 key passes and had an expected assists figure of 0.93, while Eritrea recorded eight key passes and an xA of 0.31.
Defensively, Eritrea committed 15 fouls compared with nine by South Africa. Both teams won 10 tackles, with each side recording a 71% tackle success rate.
Eritrea made 30 clearances, substantially more than South Africa’s eight, reflecting the pressure they faced during the match. South Africa made 13 interceptions compared with Eritrea’s 10.
South Africa’s goalkeeper made four saves, while Eritrea’s goalkeeper also made four. Eritrea’s goalkeeper faced an xGOT of 2.40 and conceded five goals, while South Africa faced an xGOT of 0.47.
The result underlined South Africa’s control throughout the match. Their superiority in possession, passing, shots, shots on target and touches inside the opposition box was reflected on the scoreboard as they completed a 5-0 victory.
