Bafana Bafana stalwart Themba Zwane expressed gratitude to his teammates for a memorable day as South Africa cruised to a 5-0 victory over Congo in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday.

Zwane, making his 50th appearance for Bafana Bafana, is the most experienced player in the squad with 12 goals to his name. While he couldn’t mark the occasion with a goal himself, he witnessed his teammates put on a dominant display. Teboho Mokoena scored a brace, while Bathusi Aubaas, Lyle Foster, and Iqraam Rayners also found the net, propelling Bafana to the top of Group K with seven points from four matches.

“I feel great, and it was a special day for me,” Zwane told SABCSport. “Thanks to my teammates for their hard work in securing this win.”

Zwane, now 35, made his Bafana Bafana debut in 2014 against Australia, coming off the bench to replace Ayanda Patosi. His first goal for the national team came against Burkina Faso in a World Cup qualifier in 2017 under coach Shakes Mashaba at FNB Stadium.

Despite witnessing the national team play in empty stadiums over the past decade, the Mamelodi Sundowns captain has seen a positive change under the guidance of Hugo Broos. Bafana Bafana claimed the bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year for the first time in 24 years and played in front of a packed crowd at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday.

Zwane praised Broos for turning around the fortunes of the national team. “For the last four to five years, we’ve faced challenges, but thanks to the coach, he’s managed to unite the team,” said Zwane, who captained the side in the September qualifiers due to Ronwen Williams’ injury. “We’re all on the same page, playing well as a team, and we’re happy.”

Bafana Bafana will look to extend their winning streak with a victory over Congo in the return leg on Tuesday.