Bafana Bafana keep World Cup dream alive with Lesotho thrashing

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Bafana Bafana keep World Cup dream alive with Lesotho thrashing

Bafana Bafana edged closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup following a 3-0 thrashing of Lesotho in a World Cup qualifier on Friday.

South Africa faced off with Lesotho at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein and knew three more points would leave them with a five-point lead over the chasing pack with three matches to go.

They did just that as Mohau Nkota scored a brilliant goal to give them a 16th minute lead. The Saudi-based winger was on the end of a good ball from Aubrey Modiba, who floated it from the left to the right wing, the Al-Ettifaq star sweeping it home low on the volley.

There were no further goals in the first half as South Africa took a 1-0 lead to the break.

Bafana Bafana suffer injury setback

In the second half, Bafana Bafana kept asking the questions but there was no breakthrough early on upon resumption. Hugo Broos would suffer a setback when defender Thabo Molaisane went off injured.

The Stellenbosch FC star had come off worse after an elbow hit his head and after receiving treatment on the pitch, he was replaced by TS Galaxy’s Khulumane Ndamane as he went off with a heavily bandaged head.

South Africa extended their lead in the 63rd minute after a great move started by Nkota. The winger crossed the ball to the opposite side with Modiba the recipient who then fired a strong shot directly at the Lesotho goalkeeper.

Where does victory leave South Africa?

He punched the ball into the path of Foster and the Burnley striker slotted home from close range on the rebound.

Foster then turned provider, getting a good pass past a forest of legs for Oswin Appollis who swept low past the goalkeeper for 3-0 four minutes later.

That is how it ended as South Africa took their tally to 16 points from seven matches, five more than Benin, who beat Zimbabwe 1-0 on Friday, and they will now look to add Nigeria to their list of casualties next Tuesday.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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