By Michael Madyira
Bafana Bafana shot to the top of Group K in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers following a heavy 5-0 victory over Congo-Brazzaville at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday.
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena showed that he is not rusty after going for five matches without playing by grabbing a brace, first finding target after 12 minutes before scoring again on 27 minutes.
Bathusi Aubaas scored his first goal in national team colours when he made it 3-0 in the 37th minute before Lyle Foster increased the hosts’ lead seven minutes into the second half.
With 12 minutes remaining, substitute Iqraam Rayners sealed the heavy win as Bafana jumped to position one in Group K by toppling Uganda, who beat South Sudan 1-0 earlier on.
On an evening Themba Zwane was making his 50th Bafana appearance, it was also South Africa’s biggest winning margin under coach Hugo Broos.
Confirmed 36,800 fans came in full force to back Bafana in Gqeberha and Broos’ men perfectly responded with the convincing win over Congo who remain third on the table.
Mokoena first lit the evening when he rose highest to head in a corner kick delivery from Oswin Appollis.
The Masandawana central midfielder then made a turn-and-shoot from the edge of the box for his second goal.
Just after that terrific strike Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida momentarily stopped play due to security concerns as some fans invaded the pitch.
Broos pleaded with fans while his assistant Helman Mkhalele took the microphone to address the crowd, and play resumed after security was beefed up.
Appollis turned provider for the third occasion but this time his corner kick landed on the head of Aubaas.
The visitors’ first threat came towards halftime when Ronwen Williams dived to save a shot by Vieljeux Mboungou.
Bafana were in total control of proceedings and Elias Mokwana twice failed to finish glorious chances but atoned by setting up Foster to score.
Rayners then benefitted from a blunder by Congo goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi who mistakenly passed him the ball and he gratefully finished into an empty net.
Pictured above: Teboho Mokoena joined by his Bafana Bafana teammates in celebrating his goal against Congo-Brazzaville
Source: Bafana Bafana
