South Africa continued their strong start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a convincing 5-0 victory over Eritrea in Cairo on Wednesday.
The result followed Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 win against Guinea and gave them another three points in Group D. Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice, while Oswin Appollis produced three assists in a dominant attacking performance at the Al Salam Stadium.
Pitso Mosimane’s side made a lively start, with Mofokeng striking the post in the 10th minute after cutting inside and unleashing a powerful left-footed effort. Eritrea posed a threat on the counter-attack but could not take advantage of their early opportunities.
South Africa were forced into an early change when midfielder Bathusi Aubaas suffered a muscle injury and was withdrawn in the 11th minute. Debutant Poggenpoel came on in his place.
Bafana Bafana took the lead in the 19th minute. Appollis split the Eritrean defence with a fine through ball and Mofokeng kept his composure to finish from inside the penalty area.
Mofokeng added a second just before half-time, dribbling past two defenders before placing his shot into the corner in the 45th minute. Eritrea went into the interval 2-0 down, with South Africa firmly in control.
The visitors extended their advantage seven minutes after the restart. Appollis’ effort was spilled by the goalkeeper in the 52nd minute, allowing Sithole to follow up and tap the ball home from close range.
South Africa’s fourth arrived in the 63rd minute when Rayners finished from a tight angle after receiving another assist from Appollis.
Mosimane made a triple substitution in the 73rd minute, replacing Rayners, Makhanya and Maseko with Seema, Singh and Mailula.
Eritrea pushed forward in search of a consolation goal late on, but Ronwen Williams preserved South Africa’s clean sheet with two successive saves in the 85th minute.
Singh completed the scoring in the 90th minute, converting from close range after Appollis supplied his third assist of the evening.
The final whistle confirmed a commanding victory for South Africa, who produced another impressive attacking display to maintain their positive beginning to the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
Bafana Bafana’s next fixture is an international friendly against Egypt on Sunday at 20:00, again in Cairo.
