Bafana ease to victory over the Mambas

South Africa eased to a 2-0 win over Mozambique in an International Friendly played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Bafana Bafana endured a frustrating first half in which they missed out on numerous goal-scoring opportunities, but they broke the deadlock early in the second half via a towering header from Sinoxolo Kwayiba and substitute Ashley Cupido added an emphatic second goal to secure a deserved triumph over the Mambas.

@BafanaBafana bafikile, babona, banqoba!

A massive shoutout to the Bafana for doing the most at tonight’s game. 👊🏽

Send a 🍻 🇿🇦 in the comments to celebrate the boys. 😃#DlalaCastle #CastleLager pic.twitter.com/CFfr2Wx9YK

— Castle Lager SA (@CastleLagerSA) June 10, 2025

South Africa coach Hugo Broos made 11 changes to the team that drew 0-0 with Tanzania last Friday, handing Samukele Kabini and Yanela Mbuthuma their senior national team debuts, while Nkosinathi Sibisi wore the captain’s armband.

Bafana started strongly and Mohau Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng both forced sharp saves from Mozambique goalkeeper Ivane Urrubal inside the opening five minutes.

Urrubal was in action again in the 17th minute, coming off his line to deny Mofokeng one-on-one after a clever touch from Mbuthuma had put the Orlando Pirates man in on goal.

And two minutes later the ‘keeper saved from Kwayiba’s low shot, though the Chippa United midfielder’s effort was a tame one that lacked conviction.

Urrubal continued to frustrate the Bafana attackers, making several more interventions through the first half, and a particularly excellent diving save in the 40th minute to palm away a drive from Mofokeng that looked destined for the top corner of the net.

The Mozambique goalkeeper was finally beaten early in the second half, with Kwayiba getting on the end of Nkota’s corner kick and powering home a header which beat Urrubal’s right hand to make it 1-0 in favour of South Africa.

A second goal arrived shortly after a triple substitution from the hosts, with Ashley Cupido scoring with one of his first touches after rising off the bench.

Nkota stole possession high up the pitch and Cupido took advantage of Urrubal being out of position to sweep home a curling shot in the 70th minute.

Mozambique nearly pulled a goal back late in the game via a fine header from substitute Shaquille, but Renaldo Leaner – who replaced Sipho Chaine as part of the earlier triple change – made an excellent save to ensure Bafana kept a second clean sheet in this pair of June internationals.

South Africa will return to competitive action in September’s international window when they face Lesotho and Nigeria in key 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

South Africa (0) 2 (Kwayiba 47’, Cupido 70’)

Mozambique 0

SA: Chaine (Leaner 68’), Mobbie (Van Rooyen 68’), Mbokazi, Sibisi, Kabini, Maphangule (Selepe 76’), Le Roux, Kwayiba, Nkota, Mofokeng (Appollis 68’), Mbuthuma (Cupido 68’)

Mozambique: Urrubal, Chambuco, Mexer, Dove, Macandza (Muze 83’), Kambala, Nene (Amadu 60’), Gildo (Nanani 60’), Bauque (Antonio 60’), Ratifo (Melque 76’), Muiomo (Shaquille 46’)