Bafana Bafana 5-0 Eritrea: AFCON 2027 Qualifier Report

Bafana Bafana 5-0 Eritrea was the result at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, as Pitso Mosimane’s side ran in five goals without reply in their AFCON 2027 qualifier. Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice either side of half-time, and further goals from Sphephelo Sithole, Iqraam Rayners and Luther Singh completed the win South Africa had set up in our Bafana Bafana v Eritrea preview. The result moves Bafana to six points from two Group D matches.

What was the result of Bafana Bafana 5-0 Eritrea?

South Africa beat Eritrea 5-0 at the Al-Salam Stadium, leading 2-0 at the interval. Eritrea were the nominated home side for this Group D fixture, but because the country rarely stages competitive football at home, the match was played at a neutral venue in Cairo. Mofokeng broke the deadlock in the 19th minute and added a second in first-half stoppage time, and Bafana never let up after the break.

Sithole made it three in the 52nd minute, Rayners added a fourth in the 62nd, and substitute Luther Singh wrapped up the scoring in the 90th minute. Referee Lamin Jammeh had little to do beyond a single caution, since Eritrea rarely threatened the South Africa goal.

How did Bafana Bafana’s five goals come about?

Mofokeng’s double either side of the break set the tone, and three different second-half finishers turned a comfortable lead into a rout. South Africa made an early change when Bathusi Aubaas went off injured in the 12th minute, and Mosimane’s side settled quickly afterwards. Mofokeng’s opener in the 19th minute came from open play, and Olwethu Makhanya picked up a yellow card midway through the half for a foul as Bafana pressed for a second. Mofokeng duly doubled the lead in the first minute of added time at the break, sending South Africa in 2-0 up.

Sithole’s goal seven minutes into the second half effectively ended the contest as a contest, and Rayners made it four in the 62nd minute before both scorers were substituted in the 74th minute as Mosimane freshened up his attack with Thapelo Maseko and others coming on. Singh, one of the late substitutes, then capped the win with a goal in stoppage time. Because the goals were spread across five different phases of the game, the Eritrea defence never found a way to settle.

What did South Africa’s coach and SAFA say afterwards?

Pitso Mosimane praised his players’ discipline as much as their finishing. “It was a good performance from our boys and they showed respect also. They showed respect to the opponents but also played proper football,” Mosimane said, according to the South African Football Association.

SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan highlighted the quick turnaround in Bafana’s qualifying form, telling the squad, “You have picked up six points in your first two qualifiers, congratulations.” Eritrea coach Hesham Yaka was candid about the gap in quality, saying his side “faced a team that is classified as a top five team in Africa” and that “it was difficult” to compete with South Africa’s movement and finishing.

Who started for South Africa and Eritrea?

Mosimane set his side up in a 4-2-3-1, while Eritrea lined up defensively in a 5-4-1. Ronwen Williams started in goal behind a back four of Katlego Sebelebele, Ime Okon, Makhanya and Siyabonga Kabini, with Sithole and Aubaas screening in midfield before his early withdrawal. Maseko, Mofokeng and Thembinkosi Appollis supported lone striker Rayners, the same front three that had started the opening win over Guinea.

Eritrea packed their own half with five defenders in front of goalkeeper Yonathan Abel Sultan, and their only realistic outlet was a lone striker starved of service once South Africa took control. Eritrea made five substitutions over the course of the game as they chased a way back into the match that never materialised.

Where do South Africa stand in the AFCON 2027 qualifying group now?

South Africa lead Group D on six points from two matches, with a goal difference of plus six. Guinea sit second on three points after their own matchday-two result, while Eritrea and Kenya both have one point apiece. Because Kenya have already qualified for the 2027 finals as co-hosts, the real contest in this group is between South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea for the single qualifying berth available to the rest of the pool.

A five-goal away win is as good a start as Bafana could have hoped for, and it leaves them well placed heading into the November fixtures. You can follow every result as it lands on our South Africa national soccer team standings page, and the AFCON 2027 qualifiers schedule has the full run of remaining group games.

What is next for Bafana Bafana?

South Africa face Egypt in an international friendly in Cairo on Sunday, 4 October 2026, four days after the Eritrea win and in the same city. Kick-off at the Cairo International Stadium is scheduled for 20:00 SAST. The friendly will not count towards Group D, but it gives Mosimane a chance to assess fringe players before qualifying resumes.

Group D itself then pauses until the November international window, when South Africa host Kenya on 11 November before travelling to Nairobi four days later. For every fixture and result, use our Bafana Bafana fixtures and results page, and the latest squad list is on the South Africa national soccer team players page.

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