Bafana Bafana moved top of Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after defeating Lesotho 2-0 at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday evening.
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Result: South Africa 2-0 Lesotho
Date: 21 March 2025
Venue: New Peter Mokaba Stadium
Hugo Broos gave a first start to Relebohile Mofokeng for the national side as he joined Lyle Foster and Percy Tau, who made his first Bafana appearance since the 1-1 draw against Nigeria back in June 2024.
Broos went all-out attacking with his line-up, with Mofokeng carving out two chances in the opening 15 minutes but he was denied by Lesotho shot-stopper Sekhoane Moerane.
While Lesotho struggled to carve out any chances in open play, the home side went close once again in the 34th minute as Nkosinathi Sibisi saw his towering header cleared off the line.
Unfortunately for Broos, his charges were unable to find the breakthrough in the latter stages of the first half but he can encouragement from the fact that his attacking quartet are linking up well.
Bafana upped the tempo in the second half and they went agonisingly close to taking the lead five minutes in but Foster saw his first-time strike crash against the upright before rolling just wide of the other post.
The hosts got their reward on the hour mark as Mofokeng marked his first start for Bafana with goal by collecting a pass from Elias Mokwana and calmly slotting past Moerane from close range.
The lead was doubled four minutes later as Tau laid the ball off for Jayden Adams, who saw his first strike saved by Moerane but he was able to slam home from close range on the rebound for his first Bafana goal.
With the two-goal lead secured, Broos opened to freshen up the side by introducing Bathusi Aubaas, Thalente Mbatha and Iqraam Rayners to see out the rest of the second half.
The win takes Bafana top of the group ahead of Tuesday's clash against Benin, who drew 2-2 with Zimbabwe on Friday night.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Ngezana, Sibisi, Basadien, Mokoena, Adams, Mofokeng, Mokwana, Tau, Foster
Subs: Chaine, Goss, Kekana, Mobbie, Mbatha, Letlapa, Appollis, Maphangule, Rayners, Moloisane, Aubaas, Morena
Lesotho: Moerane, Makhetha, Matlabe, Makhele, Mkwanazi, Lebokollane, Matsau, Bereng, Makateng, Snyders, Mokhachane
