BAFANA WRAP UP AFCON QUALIFIERS IN STYLE

Written by: Kamogelo Mogale

Bafana Bafana concluded their Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign with a 3-0 victory over South Sudan at the sold out DHL stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday night. Iqraam Rayners opened the scoring charts just sevwn minutes into the game with a tap in from an Oswin Appollis cut back cross. Patrick Maswanganyi scored the second goal in the 22nd minute to ensure that Hugo Broos’ charges went into the half time break with the lead. The green and gold wrapped up the goal tally with Teboho Mokoena converting a penalty in the fiftieth minute.

The victory sees Bafana qualify for next year’s continental showpiece undefeated after six matches played with fourteen points, four victories and two draws, following by Uganda on thirteen points, who also have booked their ticket to Morocco alongside Bafana in group K of qualifiers.

The match also saw captain, Ballon d’Or Yashin Trophy, CAF goalkeeper of the year and player of the year nominee Ronwen Williams celebrate his 50th cap in national team colours, now joins elite players such as the late Phil Masinga and John “Shoes” Moshoeu, Lucas Radebe, Mark Fish, Shaun Bartlett, Andre Arendse, current Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele, Aaron Mokoena, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Itumeleng Khune and most recently teammate Themba Zwane, who have 50 caps or more to their name.

Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper Sage Stephens was also awarded his first national team cap as he came for Williams as well as teammate Devin Titus who was also handed his Bafana debut.

Bafana Bafana will join Comoros Island, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Angola and Botswana, who will represent the COSAFA region at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next year. The tournament is set to take place from the 21st of December 2025 until the 18th of January 2026.