Teboho Mokoena scoring back to back goals for Bafana Bafana against Congo Brazzaville. Image: Bafana Bafana SA
(The Post News)- Bafana Bafana won their second game in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on Friday night in Gqeberha. With a decisive 5-0 victory over Congo Brazzaville, South Africa increased their lead in Group K to seven points and, more significantly, increased their goal differential to six.
They were merciless in their victory. Teboho Mokoena, a midfielder under fire who was born in Bethlehem, opened the score in the 12th minute of the crucial qualifier at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to put South Africa ahead.
The Mamelodi Sundowns player doubled South Africa’s lead in the 27th minute by scoring again to complete his brace. Bafana led 3-0 at the break thanks to a third goal from Bathusi Aubaas.Â
Lyle Foster scored South Africa’s fourth goal just minutes into the second half, carrying on from the first forty-five minutes of play. Then, in the 78th minute, Iqraam Rayners scored, putting the icing on the coffin of Congo. The enormous margin of victory significantly increased Bafana’s goal differential. This will be relevant when they travel to Kampala later in the year to play the away leg against Uganda, who are currently leading the log.
Uganda’s 1-0 victory over South Sudan at home kept them at the top of Group K. Foster suffered a shoulder injury during the victory, and he will probably miss Tuesday’s away leg in Brazzaville.
Hugo Broos, the coach of Bafana Bafana, stated that Mokoena’s performance demonstrated why he thinks so highly of the player. As a result, he now expects that Sundowns will start using him more frequently. “Teboho has advanced a great deal, let’s say in the previous two years. He’s developed into an extremely talented player,” Broos added.Â
According to Hugo, Mokoena may have been motivated by a desire to show his Sundowns coach that he was incorrect not to put him on the field. He underlined that Mokoena’s demonstration was focused on action rather than words.
“I stated a few days ago that I must accept and honor that choice. However, I disagree. Today, in my opinion, demonstrated why I disagree that he isn’t playing for Sundowns. Okay, so this isn’t a problem for us,” said Hugo.
Now, Bafana will head to Brazzaville for the equally significant second leg against Congo. On Tuesday, at Alphonse Massamba-Debat Stadium, it begins at 18:00.
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