South Africa produced a commanding display to beat Eritrea 5-0 in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Cairo’s Al-Salam Stadium on Wednesday night.
Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice, while Yaya Sithole, Iqraam Rayners and substitute Luther Singh were also on target as Bafana Bafana turned a competitive opening into a convincing victory.
The result gives coach Pitso Mosimane and his players a strong start to their qualifying campaign, with South Africa now preparing for an international friendly against Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, 4 October 2026.
Eritrea began the match brightly and put the South Africans under pressure during the opening stages. Bafana Bafana, however, gradually settled into the contest and began to impose themselves on the game.
Their pressure produced the opening goal after 19 minutes when Mofokeng found the net to put South Africa in front.
The advantage was doubled shortly before half-time, with Mofokeng scoring again in added time at the end of the first half. His second goal gave Bafana Bafana a two-goal cushion going into the interval and put them in a strong position to control the remainder of the match.
South Africa continued to attack after the restart and extended their lead seven minutes into the second half. Sithole scored in the 52nd minute to make it 3-0.
Rayners added another 10 minutes later, scoring in the 62nd minute as Eritrea’s hopes of recovering from the deficit faded.
The scoring was completed by Singh, who came off the bench in the second half and found the net in referee’s optional time to seal a five-goal victory.
Although South Africa were highly effective in attack, goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams was equally important to the result.
Williams was called upon several times as Eritrea attempted to respond, producing a series of saves to keep the East Africans from getting on the scoresheet. His interventions frustrated Eritrea as the match progressed.
The victory was ultimately a collective effort, with the South African technical team and supporters in the stands applauding the players after the final whistle.
There was, however, another injury concern for Mosimane’s side. Bathusi Aubaas was forced off after only 16 minutes, meaning Brooklyn Poggenpoel had to come into the match.
Poggenpoel responded positively to the unexpected opportunity and earned praise from Mosimane for his performance.
Aubaas’s injury adds to South Africa’s growing list of absentees. Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba had already been ruled out because of injuries before the match.
Despite the setback, Bafana Bafana maintained their control of the contest and finished with a five-goal margin.
Their attention now turns to Egypt, with the friendly at the Cairo International Stadium scheduled for Sunday, 4 October. The match will provide another opportunity for Mosimane’s team to build on the performance against Eritrea.
