Bafana Bafana climbed to the summit of Group C in the CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers following a 2–0 victory over Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday evening.
Second-half goals from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams secured a crucial win for Bafana Bafana, who now lead the group by two points over Benin. Lesotho, meanwhile, dropped to fifth place with just four points from five matches.
Hugo Broos’s side dominated possession throughout the opening half but struggled to break down a compact Lesotho defence. Early efforts from Mofokeng and Percy Tau tested goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane, while Nkosinathi Sibisi saw a header cleared off the line on 35 minutes.
Jayden Adams and Teboho Mokoena both went close with long-range efforts, and Lyle Foster narrowly missed from a Khuliso Mudau cross just before halftime.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 61st minute. Elias Mokwana burst down the right flank, beating several defenders before setting up Mofokeng, who struck powerfully past Moerane to give South Africa a deserved lead.
Just three minutes later, Bafana Bafana doubled their advantage. A slick passing sequence opened space for Adams, whose first shot was blocked but rebounded kindly for him to slot home on the second attempt, making it 2–0.
South Africa continued to press forward, with Tau and substitute Iqraam Rayners both coming close to adding a third. However, the hosts comfortably managed the game’s closing stages to secure an important home victory that strengthens their World Cup qualification campaign.
Final score:
South Africa 2 (Mofokeng 61’, Adams 64’)
Lesotho 0
South Africa XI: Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Siyabonga Ngezana, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Devin Basadien, Teboho Mokoena (Mbatha 82’), Jayden Adams (Aubaas 82’), Elias Mokwana (Morena 66’), Relebohile Mofokeng, Percy Tau (Maphangule 90+3’), Lyle Foster (Rayners 82’).
Lesotho XI: Sekhoane Moerane, Motlomelo Mkwanazi, Hlompho Bereng, Neo Lebokollane (Toloane 70’), Rethabile Makateng (Malane 88’), Mafa Makhele, Rethabile Makhetha, Fusi Matlabe, Lebohang Snyders, Tumelo Matsau, Neo Mokhachane.