Five-Star Bafana! Mofokeng And Appollis Masterclass Demolishes Eritrea In Cairo
Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice as Bafana Bafana ruthlessly dispatched Eritrea 5-0 in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo on Wednesday.
The victory ensures a perfect start under head coach Pitso Mosimane, making it two wins from two following Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over Guinea at Orlando Stadium.
Eritrea are among the CAF member associations forced to play their home fixtures on neutral ground due to a lack of CAF-approved venues in their country. Relocating to Cairo stripped them of home advantage, and South Africa made them pay dearly.
Before their March 2026 preliminary tie against Eswatini, Eritrea had not competed in an AFCON qualifying campaign for 18 years. Their previous appearance dates back to September 2007, when they lost 1-0 to Angola during AFCON 2008 qualification. Between 2008 and 2025, Eritrea repeatedly withdrew from or declined to enter international qualifying tournaments.
Despite those challenges, Hesham Yakan’s side nearly pulled off an upset against Kenya on Saturday, only for Benni McCarthy’s team to snatch a late equalizer just before stoppage time.
Eritrea almost caught Bafana cold in the early stages when Ronwen Williams palmed a ball back into danger, but Ali Sulieman failed to punish the error. Sulieman had earlier tested Williams again shortly after with a long-range effort, forcing a corner as the South African captain appeared temporarily unsettled.
Bafana entered the contest without key Mamelodi Sundowns duo Aubrey Modiba and Teboho Mokoena, who picked up injuries against Guinea. Samukele Kabini and Bathusi Aubaas filled the vacancies. However, Mosimane suffered an early setback when Aubaas hobbled off in the 12th minute, handing debutant Brooklyn Poggenpoel an unexpected early introduction.
Mofokeng signaled his intent in the 12th minute, turning his marker before rattling the post with a fierce left-footed strike that left Eritrea goalkeeper Abiel Sultan helpless.
Seven minutes later, Mofokeng broke the deadlock. Oswin Appollis carved open the Eritrean defense with a precise through-ball, allowing Mofokeng to gather and finish smoothly. The 19th-minute strike marked his first goal for Bafana Bafana on his 19th appearance.
Iqraam Rayners endured a frustrating first half, missing a golden opportunity in the 36th minute after Sultan parried Appollis’ initial effort straight into his path, only for the Sundowns striker to drag wide.
Mofokeng doubled South Africa’s advantage on the stroke of halftime. The former Orlando Pirates attacker danced through defenders inside the box before slotting home to cap a dominant opening 45 minutes.
Bafana ran riot in the second period. In the 52nd minute, Sultan parried another curling effort from Appollis, allowing Sphephelo ‘Yaya’ Sithole to turn in the rebound from close range.
Rayners finally got his goal in the 63rd minute, latching onto a pass from the outstanding Appollis and drilling a low left-footed shot past Sultan.
Ime Okon missed a header late on to extend the scoreline, but substitute Luther Singh completed the 5-0 rout in the 90th minute, sweeping home an Appollis cross with a neat side-footed finish from close range.
The result marks Bafana Bafana’s largest victory in AFCON qualifying since Stuart Baxter led South Africa to a 6-0 win over Seychelles at FNB Stadium on 13 October 2018.
Mosimane’s men remain in North Africa to conclude the international window with a friendly against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday.
