South Africa moved to the top of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Group D with a 5-0 victory over Eritrea, maintaining their perfect record after two matches.
Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice in the first half at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, before Sphephelo Sithole, Iqraam Rayners and substitute Luther Singh completed a convincing win.
The result gives Bafana six points from their opening two fixtures, after they began the campaign with a 2-1 victory over Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday in Pitso Mosimane’s first match of his second spell as coach.
Mofokeng opened the scoring in the 19th minute, converting after being found by Oswin Appollis. He added a second in first-half added time, controlling a pass from Samukele Kabini before beating two defenders and finishing past Eritrea goalkeeper Yonathan Sultan.
Sithole made it 3-0 eight minutes after the interval when Sultan could only parry Appollis’ effort into his path following the forward’s run beyond Henos Asmelash.
Rayners then added a fourth in the 63rd minute after being released by Appollis, who had capitalised on a poor mistake by Sultan.
Singh put the result beyond doubt in the 94th minute as South Africa recorded their biggest win of the qualifying campaign so far. The five unanswered goals strengthened their goal difference, leaving Guinea or Kenya with ground to make up when they meet in Conakry on Thursday.
The clean sheet was also significant for Mosimane, with South Africa having managed only one shutout in their five matches before Wednesday’s game.
South Africa were unsettled early on and Eritrea created two good opportunities inside the opening five minutes, but Ronwen Williams kept them out. Mofokeng then struck the post at the other end with Sultan beaten.
Mosimane had made two enforced changes before kick-off, bringing in Kabini and Bathusi Aubaas for injured Mamelodi Sundowns players Aubrey Modiba and Teboho Mokoena. However, Aubaas lasted only 12 minutes before going off injured, with Brooklyn Poggenpoel coming on for his Durban City debut.
The latest injury adds to concerns for Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, who could be without Modiba, Mokoena and Aubaas for next weekend’s MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates in Durban if they fail to recover in time.
Mofokeng’s first goal was his first for Bafana in his 19th appearance. The former Pirates player is now beginning his European career with Belgium’s Royale Union Saint Gilloise, and Mosimane will hope his scoring form continues as South Africa seek qualification for the Afcon finals in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania (Pamoja) next year.
After South Africa had built a four-goal advantage, Mosimane introduced Singh, Lebone Seema, Cassius Mailula and Zwane for Olwethu Makhanya, Rayners, Thapelo Maseko and Sithole.
Bafana remain in North Africa for an international friendly against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday evening. Mosimane is expected to give playing time to members of his squad who did not feature against Guinea and Eritrea.