Polokwane – March 21, 2025
South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes received a significant boost on Friday night as Bafana Bafana secured a commanding 2-0 victory over Lesotho at a sold-out Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
On a night that saw two rising stars announce themselves on the international stage, goals from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams – both netting their first for the national team – were enough to sink a resilient Lesotho and move South Africa to the top of Group C at the halfway stage of qualifying.
The breakthrough came just after the hour mark, following a frustrating first half where Hugo Broos’ men dominated proceedings but couldn’t find the net. The deadlock was finally broken when winger Elias Mokwana carved through the Lesotho defence with a dazzling solo run before teeing up Orlando Pirates’ Mofokeng, who calmly slotted home to mark his first international start with a memorable goal.
Just minutes later, the lead was doubled. Mamelodi Sundowns’ Jayden Adams, making his sixth appearance for Bafana, capitalised on a defensive lapse to fire in from close range and send the Polokwane crowd into raptures. For both young talents, it was a night of vindication and emergence, delivering when the national team needed them most.
Despite a few late chances to extend the lead – including a missed opportunity by Percy Tau – South Africa comfortably saw out the match, keeping a clean sheet and collecting a crucial three points in their quest to return to the global stage for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010.
The result lifts Bafana Bafana to 10 points after five matches (three wins, one draw, one loss), putting them two points ahead of Benin, who drew 2-2 with Zimbabwe earlier in the day. Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Rwanda also shook up the standings, but South Africa remain firmly in control of their own destiny.
Group C Standings (After 5 Matches):
- South Africa – 10 pts
- Benin – 8 pts
- Rwanda – 7 pts
- Nigeria – 6 pts
- Lesotho – 5 pts
- Zimbabwe – 3 pts
The next test comes quickly. South Africa travel to Côte d’Ivoire for a challenging away fixture against Benin on Tuesday, March 25, at the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny in Abidjan. Having edged Benin 2-1 in the reverse fixture in Johannesburg back in November 2023, Bafana will be eager to complete the double. However, Benin remain unbeaten at home in this campaign, making it a vital clash that could define the group’s trajectory.
Head coach Hugo Broos had stressed the importance of securing “six points from six” during this qualification window. With half the job done, all eyes now turn to Tuesday’s encounter, where a positive result could see South Africa inch closer to a long-awaited return to football’s grandest stage – the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
With the likes of Mofokeng and Adams proving their worth on the international scene and experienced campaigners like Tau and Mokwana adding stability, Bafana Bafana look increasingly like a side capable of making history.
Siyaya e-USA, Canada, and Mexico? After last night’s performance – the dream is alive.
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