Bafana Bafana gave their 2026 Fifa World Cup qualification campaign a major lift with a convincing 3–0 victory over Lesotho at the Free State Stadium on Friday.

Goals from Mohau Nkota, Lyle Foster, and Oswin Appollis secured all three points for Hugo Broos’ side, who now turn their attention to a high-stakes clash against Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Tuesday, 9 September.

Nkota opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a beautifully placed side-footed finish that beat Lesotho goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane, who plies his trade for Orbit College in the Betway Premiership.

South Africa returned from the break firing on all cylinders. Moerane could only parry a powerful strike from Aubrey Modiba into the path of Lyle Foster, who made no mistake in slotting home the second goal.

Appollis capped off a dominant performance by latching onto a well-weighted through ball and calmly finishing past Moerane, sending the home crowd into rapturous celebration.

With this result, Bafana Bafana remain firmly on course for World Cup qualification and will look to carry their momentum into the crucial encounter against Nigeria.