Teboho Mokoena and Oswin Appollis played a crucial role as Bafana Bafana beat Congo 5-0 on Friday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to take control of Group K.
The Red Devils did not have smooth preparations for the match owing to internal wrangles, as opposed to their hosts.
Despite their lack of game-time at Mamelodi Sundowns, coach Hugo Broos started with Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau, while Bathusi Aubaas started in midfield after replacing the injured Thalente Mbatha.
Teboho sends a message to Mngqithi
South Africa started the game on a high, trying to go for an early goal to destabilize their Group K opponents.
The 2023/24 Premier Soccer League's Player and Midfielder of the Season Teboho Mokoena underlined his importance for the national team with a crucial opener after 12 minutes. Bafana Bafana won a corner, it was delivered by Polokwane City attacker Oswin Appollis, and the unmarked 27-year-old guided the ball home.
The Red Devils responded well by trying to get an equaliser, however, they were no match against the well-organized hosts.
In the 27th minute, Mokoena showed Masandawana coach Manqoba Mngqithi what he is missing. The midfielder received a well-weighted pass from Appollis on the left wing and controlled it well with his first touch before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Christopher Mafoumbi in the Congo goal.
The strike was beautifully struck which invited a couple of fans to breach the security and join the players in celebration. It forced the officials to stop the game and give Safa a couple of minutes to seal the loophole.
After about 20 minutes, normalcy was restored and in the 37th minute, Appollis – who is a target for Kaizer Chiefs, got his third assist when Aubaas headed in his corner to give Bafana Bafana a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Congo's dance to Bafana tune continues
Ronwen Williams pulled a fantastic save two minutes after the pause to deny Mons Bassouamina after his defense was breached from the right side of his defense.
However, the threat did little to tame the red-hot Bafana who were cheered by thousands who flocked to the stadium. It was no surprise when the Burnley striker Lyle Foster added his name on the scoresheet. Elias Mokwana beat the defenders in the 52 minute before setting up the 24-year-old.
Substitute Iqraam Rayners then put the icing on the cake when the Congolese keeper surrendered possession to the 28-year-old in the danger zone. The Sundowns forward needed to just control the ball and tap it into an empty net.
Uganda defeated South Sudan by a solitary goal to retain the top spot in Group K. Both Bafana Bafana and Cranes will seal their place in 2025 Afcon with favourable results in their next game.
