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Bafana crush Lesotho to close in on World Cup qualification

football05 September 2025 18:09| © Backpage TXT
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Oswin Appollis © Backpagepix

South Africa have moved a step closer to returning to the Fifa World Cup after they defeated Lesotho 3-0 in a Group C qualifier played at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday evening.

Bafana have retained a five-point lead at the top of the standings (Benin are now the nearest chasers, after they defeated Zimbabwe in a concurrent match) and are now heavy favourites to finish in pole position and secure direct qualification.

South Africa suffered an early injury blow, with Nyiko Mobbie picking up a knock to the head, which saw him replaced by Zuko Mdunyelwa in the sixth minute.

Just past the quarter-hour mark, Bafana Bafana surged into the lead, with Mohau Nkota providing a classy finish to Aubrey Modiba’s lofted cross for his first senior national team goal.

Nkota’s goal was a rare flash of composure in a first 45 minutes that was characterised more by broken passages of play, as both teams struggled to find fluency amid a series of niggling fouls.

Nonetheless, South Africa were worthy of taking a one-goal advantage into the halftime interval.

The ‘visitors’ had another injury-enforced change in defence early in the second stanza, with Thabo Moloisane also suffering a blow to the head. Khulumani Ndamane was introduced off the bench.

Bafana took a stranglehold on the game in the 63rd minute, as a sustained spell of pressure culminated in Aubrey Modiba’s shot being spilt by Moerane, and Lyle Foster was on hand to tuck home the loose ball at close range for 2-0.

Foster then went from scorer to provider, teeing up Oswin Appollis in the 67th minute, and the winger tucked home a low shot to make it 3-0 and effectively end the game as a contest.

South Africa were then able to go into game management mode and cruise through the remainder of the encounter.

The teams will return to Group C action next Tuesday, 9 September, with South Africa hosting Nigeria in Bloemfontein, while Lesotho will face Benin in Abidjan.

Lesotho 0

South Africa (1) 3 (Nkota 16’, Foster 63’, Appollis 67’)

Lesotho: S. Moerane, T. Malane, F. Matlabe. T. Makhele, T. Sefoli, L. Matsau, T. Toloane (T. Phatsisi 88’), K. Makateng (J. Thabantso 41’), L. Fothoane (K. Rapuleng 69’), M. Sera (T. Maphakisa 88’), N. Mokhachane (L. Lesako 69’)

SA: R. Williams, N. Mobbie (Z. Mdunyelwa 6’), M. Mbokazi, T. Moloisane (K. Ndamane 53’), A. Modiba, T. Mokoena, T. Mbatha, S. Mbule (B. Aubaas 74’), O. Appollis, M. Nkota (K. Sebelebele 74’), L. Foster (I. Rayners 74’)

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