CAIRO. – Bafana Bafana thumped Eritrea 5-0 to extend their winning start in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last night.
Following a positive start on Saturday against Guinea, the South African side were brimming with confidence and chased another win to keep their momentum going but were wary of the hosts, who secured a 1-1 draw in Kenya over the weekend.
The Red Sea Camels were indeed no pushovers and showed a lot of promise, but the visitors were called to make a substitution in the opening quarter hour as Brooklyn Poggenpoel came on for Bathusi Aubaas, who had picked up a knock.
Bafana made their presence felt and got in front midway in the first half when Oswin Appollis tucked into midfield to play a pin-point pass to Relebohile Mofokeng, who controlled well and slotted into the bottom corner.
The visitors remained on the front-foot and doubled their lead when on the stroke of halftime after Mofokeng came in from the wide side and cut-in to the near post of the six-yard box to slot in the bottom-corner, completing his brace in the process.
Bafana extended their advantage seven minutes after the halftime break after a spill by Yonathan Sultan from a strike by Appollis and fell perfectly to Sphephelo Sithole who finished the rebound after running in from midfield.
The Red Sea Camels capitulated yet again ten minutes later as Iqraam Rayners leaned to the far side of the box and positioned accurately to smash in the far corner after being teed up by Appollis.
Amidst the overwhelming spell, Comoros showed promise later on and almost pulled a goal back through a superb curling shot on the inside of the area by Esrom Yohannes but goalkeeper Ronwen Williams produced a spectacular save.
Bafana made a trio of substitutes in the closing quarter of the half and saw Luther Singh, Cassisus Mailula and Lebone Seema come on for Rayners, Olwethu Makhanya and Thapelo Maseko.
Williams remained busy between the sticks, but the visitors made sure of the points in the final minute of the clash when Singh managed to run in space in the area and tucked in a cross from Appollis, who ended the evening with three assists.
It’s back-to-back wins for Bafana, who move top of Group D with six points, while Kenya and Guinea lock horns tonight. – KickOff
