Bafana Bafana finished their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign top of Group K after defeating South Sudan 3-0 on Tuesday night.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Result: South Africa 3-0 South Sudan
Date: 19 November 2024
Venue: DHL Stadium
After both scoring off the bench against Uganda, Patrick Maswanganyi and Thapelo Morena were rewarded with starts, alongside Iqraam Rayners, Fawaaz Basadien and Siyabonga Ngezana, as five changes from the win over The Cranes.
Bafana had a perfect start after Rayners gave them an early lead with a first-time finish into a gaping net after a cross by Oswin Appollis.
Hugo Broos' charges remained on the front foot and Maswanganyi doubled their lead midway into the first stanza with another goal into an empty net from a rebound after goalkeeper Majak Mawith spilled a shot by Teboho Mokoena.
The hosts continued to threaten as on the half-hour mark Rayners had a chance to make it 3-0 after going through on goal but was denied by Mawith in a one-on-one.
South Sudan had their first shot at goal and attack ten minutes before the break after Yohanna Paulino had a close-range shot well saved by shot-stopper Ronwen Williams.
South Africa regained control of the game and just before the interval, Khuliso Mudau came close to making it 3-0 with a grass-cutter from range that missed the bottom corner by a whisker.
Bafana had an ideal start in the second stanza as five minutes in Mokoena made it 3-0 with a strike from a penalty spot after Mudau was brought down in the box.
Broos' men were threatening to run riot on the hour-mark as Basadien came close to making it 4-0 with a diagonal shot that missed the far post slightly wide.
The Belgian coach needed fresh legs in the last quarter of an hour to up the tempo, as Relebohile Mofokeng replaced Maswanganyi and Thalente Mbatha came on for Bathusi Aubaas.
Mofokeng brought energy and spark as South Africa created more chances in the closing stages but they were not clinical.
Bafana finished top of Group K.
Here's how they lined up:
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Ngezana, Dortley, Basadien, Aubaas, Mokoena, Morena, Appollis, Maswanganyi, Rayners
Subs: Chaine, Stephens, Mobbie, Mbatha, Modiba, Makgopa, Mofokeng, Le Roux, Mvala, Mokwana, Tutus, Sibisi
