Bafana Bafana racked up a second successive win in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers after they thumped Eritrea 5-0 at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Wednesday evening.

The result – inspired by a brace of goals from Relebohile Mofokeng – pushed Bafana Bafana to six points at the top of Group D. They enjoy a five-point advantage over second-placed Kenya, though that lead will be reduced when the Harambee Stars and bottom-of-the-log Guinea meet in Conakry on Thursday.

Eritrea started the stronger of the two teams and really should have claimed an early lead via chances for forward Ali Sulieman, as well as a hopeful long-range lob which hit the crossbar after some lackadaisical play from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

However, South Africa soon settled into a rhythm and gave warning of their intent with a long-range shot from Mofokeng which stung the palms of goalkeeper Yonathan Sultan in the 12th minute.

On 19 minutes Bafana claimed the lead via Mofokeng, who controlled a brilliant, defence-splitting pass from Oswin Appollis before directing a shot beyond the right hand of Sultan for 1-0. It was the 21-year-old’s first goal for the senior national team.

On 36 minutes the visitors should have doubled their lead, with Appollis shooting from range to draw a good save from Sultan – the rebound fell kindly for Iqraam Rayners, but the striker was unable to put an effort on target.

However, South Africa scored a second goal just before the half-time interval, with Mofokeng picking up a pass from Samukele Kabini in the penalty area, before showing great skill and speed to work his way into space and fire a low shot into the bottom corner of the net, 2-0.

Bafana Bafana needed just seven minutes of the second half to add to their lead. Appollis once again forced a save from the goalkeeper, and this time Yaya Sithole was on hand to stroke home the rebound for a 3-0 advantage.

Shortly after the hour mark, South Africa made it 4-0. Appollis racked up another assist, as he played Rayners into space on the left of the penalty area, and this time the striker provided a crisp left-footed finish from a tight angle.

The Red Sea Camels almost pulled a goal back via a fine solo effort from Esrom Yohannes in the 69th minute, but Williams made a brilliant one-handed save to direct the goal-bound shot away for a corner kick.

And the Bafana ‘keeper was in action again just over 10 minutes later, turning away a drive from Sulieman as the hosts kept up their search for a consolation goal.

South Africa added a cherry on top in injury time when substitute Luther Singh swept home a third assist from Appollis to complete an emphatic 5-0 score line.

The AFCON qualifying campaign resumes in November, with South Africa playing back-to-back matches against Kenya, while Eritrea will do the same against Guinea. Bafana Bafana will next play a friendly against Egypt in Cairo on Sunday, 4 October.

Eritrea 0
South Africa (2) 5 (R. Mofokeng 19’ 45+1’, Y. Sithole 52’, I. Rayners 63’, L. Singh 90+3’)

Eritrea: Y. Sultan, H. Asmelash, J. Misignha, N. Embaye, J. Idris (M. Lundgren 58’), T. Tekie, N. Girmai (A. Isaac 77’), E. Yohannes (N. Embaye 45+2’), A. Teklezgi (Y. Yonas 76’), F. Gerezgiher (Y. Sebhatu 58’), A. Sulieman

SA: R. Williams, K. Sebelebele, I. Okon, O. Makhanya (L. Seema 74’), S. Kabini, B. Aubaas (B. Poggenpoel 12’), Y. Sithole (T. Zwane 79’), O. Appollis, R. Mofokeng, T. Maseko (C. Mailula 74’), I. Rayners (L. Singh 74’)