Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos was thrilled with his team’s clinical performance as they thrashed Congo 5-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday.

Bafana dominated the match, scoring three goals in the first half through Teboho Mokoena (who scored a brace) and Bathusi Aubaas. Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners added to the tally to 5-0 in the second half, propelling Bafana to the top of Group K with seven points from four matches.

“What can I say after a performance like this? I think it was amazing the way we started the game, the way we played football, it is something I always wanted to see from this team, and we did that,” said Broos after the game. 

“It was also in the AFCON. But on Saturday, it was fantastic – many goals, five goals, good football, forward football. It shows again the group of players I have, a group of players which I’m very proud.  

“I said before – these guys know when they have to perform. These guys wanted to make a statement; they made a statement with good football. But it is only three points and next Tuesday we have another game, and those five goals don’t count, and we have prepared ourselves and let’s now enjoy from fantastic victory.”  

Bafana Bafana, who last lost the AFCON qualifying match since losing to Morocco in June 2022, will hope to conclude this FIFA break with another win when they visit Congo in the return leg on Tuesday.  

A win on Tuesday will see Bafana Bafana book their qualification for the AFCON finals that will be hosted in Morocco with two games to spare.   

“We did the first step to qualify and next Tuesday is the second and let’s try not to spoil that,” said Broos.  

“And let’s have the same performance that we did on Saturday and come back with another victory and celebrate another qualification for AFCON.”