Mofokeng double helps South Africa sweep aside Eritrea in Afcon qualifying

South Africa moved top of Group D in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with a convincing 5-0 victory over Eritrea in Cairo.

The result gives Bafana six points from their opening two matches, after they began the campaign with a 2-1 win against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday in Pitso Mosimane’s first match back for a second spell as coach.

Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice in the first half at Al Salam Stadium, before Sphephelo Sithole, Iqraam Rayners and substitute Luther Singh added further goals after the break.

Mofokeng opened the scoring in the 19th minute, sending the ball beyond the reach of Eritrea goalkeeper Yonathan Sultan after receiving a pass from Oswin Appollis.

It was the 19-year-old’s first goal for Bafana in his 19th appearance. The former Orlando Pirates player has been making an impression during his introduction to European football with Belgium’s Royale Union Saint Gilloise.

He doubled South Africa’s advantage in first-half injury time, controlling the ball inside the area before beating two defenders and finishing past Sultan. Samukele Kabini supplied the pass.

Eritrea had threatened twice during the opening five minutes as South Africa struggled to settle, but both opportunities were dealt with by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

South Africa then went close when Mofokeng struck the post with Sultan beaten.

Mosimane was forced into an early change after 12 minutes when Bathusi Aubaas went off injured. Brooklyn Poggenpoel came on to make his debut for Durban City.

South Africa extended their lead eight minutes after the interval. Appollis dribbled past Henos Asmelash before shooting, with Sultan only able to parry the ball into the path of Sithole, who finished into an unguarded net.

Rayners made it 4-0 in the 63rd minute after being played through by Appollis and capitalising on a poor error by Sultan.

Singh completed the scoring in the fourth minute of added time, ensuring South Africa increased their advantage on goal difference. Guinea or Kenya will try to reduce that gap when they meet in Conakry on Thursday.

The clean sheet will also please Mosimane, with South Africa having kept only one in their previous five matches before Wednesday’s game.

Mosimane replaced Olwethu Makhanya, Rayners, Thapelo Maseko and Sithole with Singh, Lebone Seema, Cassius Mailula and Zwane after the fourth goal.

The injuries remain a concern for Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, with Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena and Aubaas potentially unavailable for the MTN8 final against Orlando Pirates in Durban next weekend if they do not recover in time.

South Africa remain in North Africa for several more days and will face Egypt in an international friendly at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday evening. Mosimane is expected to give opportunities to players who did not play against Guinea and Eritrea.

Bafana’s next qualifying meetings with Kenya are scheduled for November, as they continue their bid to reach the Afcon tournament in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania (Pamoja) next year.