Mosimane Hails ‘Classy’ Mofokeng & Appollis After Eritrea Rout
Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has praised Orlando Pirates attacker Oswin Appollis and youngster Relebohile Mofokeng for their key contributions after the pair was involved in five goals to crush Eritrea 5–0 in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Wednesday.
Mofokeng was the star of the show, scoring two first-half goals as South Africa hammered lowly Eritrea at Cairo’s Al Salam Stadium.
His first goal was created by his former club teammate, Appollis, who unlocked the defense with a sharp pass before Mofokeng slid the ball past Eritrean goalkeeper Yonathan Sultan. The reigning PSL Footballer of the Season added his second before half-time, cutting inside from the wing to curl a finish into the far corner.
Appollis, who was named PSL Midfielder of the Season last term, remained instrumental in the second half, assisting the fourth and fifth goals scored by Iqraam Rayners and Luther Singh.
For Rayners’ goal, Appollis played a precise pass from midfield, allowing the Mamelodi Sundowns striker to finish into the far corner. For the fifth, Appollis stretched the play wide before delivering a pinpoint cross for Singh to tap home from close range.
The victory puts Bafana Bafana on six points from two matches from Group D—having opened their campaign with a win over Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena—giving Mosimane a perfect start of two wins from two matches.
“I’m happy with three assists from Appollis. He can play anywhere,” Mosimane said after the match.
“On the wing, he can come inside and do it all; good boy, good player. I’m happy for Appollis to deliver those assists; he allowed Luther Singh to mark his return with a goal after being out for a long time.”
“Even Luther provided two good passes. That shows the team’s unity and lack of selfishness, while Rele showed his class once again. What a classy player—Rele is top class.”
The 5–0 thrashing equals the margin achieved under Hugo Broos—whom Mosimane succeeded in August—when Bafana Bafana defeated Congo 5–0 in a 2025 AFCON qualifier in October 2024 in Cape Town.
It falls just one goal short of Stuart Baxter’s side that crushed Seychelles 6–0 at FNB Stadium in October 2018.
Bafana Bafana will wrap up the extended FIFA international window with an exhibition match against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday.
