South Africa brushed aside Lesotho 3-0 in a Group C 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday evening.
Bafana Bafana have retained a five-point lead at the top of the standings (Benin are now the nearest chasers, after they defeated Zimbabwe in a concurrent match) and are now heavy favourites to finish in pole position and secure direct qualification.
South Africa suffered an early injury blow, with Nyiko Mobbie picking up a knock to the head which saw him replaced by Zuko Mdunyelwa in the sixth minute.
Just past the quarter hour mark, Bafana Bafana surged into the lead, with Mohau Nkota providing a classy finish to Aubrey Modiba’s lofted cross for his first senior national team goal.
Nkota’s goal was a rare flash of composure in a first 45 minutes that was characterised more by broken passages of play, as both teams struggled to find fluency amid a series of niggling fouls.
Nonetheless, South Africa were worthy of taking a one-goal advantage into the half-time interval.
The ‘visitors’ had another injury-enforced change in defence early in the second stanza, with Thabo Moloisane also suffering a blow to the head. Khulumani Ndamane was introduced off the bench.
Bafana took a stranglehold on the game in the 63rd minute, as a sustained spell of pressure culminated in Aubrey Modiba’s shot being spilled by Moerane, and Lyle Foster was on hand to tuck home the loose ball at close range for 2-0.
Foster then went from scorer to provider, teeing up Oswin Appollis in the 67th minute, and the winger tucked home a low shot to make it 3-0 and effectively end the game as a contest.
South Africa were then able to go into game management mode and cruise through the remainder of the encounter.
The teams will return to Group C action next Tuesday, 9 September, with South Africa hosting Nigeria in Bloemfontein, while Lesotho will face Benin in Abidjan.
For Saturday’s Matchday 7 game between Nigeria and Rwanda in Uyo, FIFA has appointed Allaou Mahamat from Chad as referee.
He will be assisted by compatriots Bogollah Issa (assistant referee 1), Moussa Hafiz (assistant referee 2), and Abdelkerim Ousmane (fourth official). Taher Abdelsalam Mahmoud of Egypt will act as referee assessor, with Bakary Jammeh of Gambia serving as commissioner.
