Bafana Bafana ended their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a high after grabbing a 3-0 win over the Bright Stars on Tuesday evening in Cape Town.South Africa came into the match knowing winning Group K was in their hands and all they needed was a win of any kind against South Sudan to cement it ahead of rivals Uganda who were away against Congo Brazzaville.
Cranes, who were just a point behind Mzansi, had hoped to get maximum points and prayed the Bright Stars held their hosts for them to win their pool.
Rayners and Maswanganyi silence the visitors
Bafana started the match well, attacking with every chance they got in a packed DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
The in-form Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners needed seven minutes to get his name on the scoresheet. Oswin Appollis created space on the left before crossing the ball and the former Stellenbosch forward easily found the back of the net.
Patrick Maswanganyi, who scored his first goal against Uganda on Friday, managed to double his team's advantage in the 22nd minute. Goalkeeper Majak Mawith failed to keep hold of what looked like a manageable shot from Teboho Mokoena and the ball kindly fell on the path of Maswanganyi who rounded the custodian before finding the back of the net.
Rayners could have scored his second before the end of the first half, but Mawithi denied him.
Mokoena gets his goal as Uganda finish second
Bafana looked hungry for more goals despite a comfortable lead in front of thousands of their fans.
Khuliso Mudau was fouled by Ivan Wani in the 50th minute and the referee did not hesitate to award a penalty. Teboho Mokoena rose for the occasion to make it 3-0 to kill any hopes of a comeback from the visitors.
There were many chances created but Bafana failed to take them. However, they did enough to grab the top spot in the group.
It was a brilliant response from Bafana who needed a late goal to beat South Sudan 3-2 in the initial outing.
Uganda beat Congo by a solitary goal scored by Travis Mutyba to finish with 13 points, one less than Bafana.
