South Africa capped off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in style with a 3-0 victory over South Sudan at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium on Tuesday evening. The result confirmed Hugo Broos’ side as Group K winners, finishing the campaign unbeaten with 14 points from six matches.
It was Bafana Bafana’s first match in Cape Town in nine years, and they delivered a performance worthy of the occasion. Broos made five changes to his lineup, but the team’s fluidity and control remained intact as they dominated from start to finish.
Iqraam Rayners opened the scoring in the seventh minute after excellent work from Oswin Appollis down the flank. South Africa doubled their lead midway through the first half when Patrick Maswanganyi reacted quickest to a rebound after Teboho Mokoena’s powerful strike was saved by the goalkeeper.
Bafana continued to dictate play, and in the 50th minute, Mokoena capped his outstanding performance by converting a penalty earned by Khuliso Mudau to make it 3-0. From there, the hosts controlled possession and created several more chances, with Ronwen Williams barely tested in goal.
Late in the game, 33-year-old Sage Stephens from Stellenbosch made his senior international debut, adding a celebratory note to an already memorable night for the home crowd.
Bafana Bafana ended the qualifiers with 16 goals scored and only five conceded, demonstrating their growing consistency under Broos. The win secured their place at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco and provided momentum ahead of their next challenge — a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho in March.
Teboho Mokoena was named Man of the Match for his commanding midfield display, dictating the tempo and scoring from the spot to cap a superb performance. South Sudan, meanwhile, managed just one win in their campaign and will view their showing as a missed opportunity, struggling to threaten throughout the contest.
Final score:
South Africa 3 (Rayners 7’, Maswanganyi 22’, Mokoena 50’ pen)
South Sudan 0