Staff Reporter.
Sinoxolo Kwayiba and Ashley Cupido scored second half goals that helped Bafana Bafana beat Mozambique 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday night.
Hugo Broos made 11 changes after the goalless draw against Tanzania, which included a debut for Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi who partnered captain Nkosinathi Sibisi in defence.
Bafana Bafana started strongly and Mohau Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng both forced sharp saves from Mozambique goalkeeper Ivane Urrubal inside the opening five minutes.
Urrubal was in action again in the 17th minute, coming off his line to deny Mofokeng one-on-one after a clever touch from Mbuthuma had put the Orlando Pirates man in on goal.
And two minutes later the ‘keeper saved from Kwayiba’s low shot, though the Chippa United midfielder’s effort was a tame one that lacked conviction.
Urrubal continued to frustrate the Bafana attackers, making several more interventions through the first half, and a particularly excellent diving save in the 40th minute to palm away a drive from Mofokeng that looked destined for the top corner of the net.
The Mozambique goalkeeper was finally beaten early in the second half, with Kwayiba getting on the end of Nkota’s corner kick and powering home a header which beat Urrubal’s right hand to make it 1-0 in favour of South Africa.
A second goal arrived shortly after a triple substitution from the hosts, with Cupido scoring with one of his first touches after rising off the bench.
Nkota stole possession high up the pitch and Cupido took advantage of Urrubal being out of position to sweep home a curling shot in the 70th minute.
Mozambique nearly pulled a goal back late in the game via a fine header from substitute Shaquille, but Renaldo Leaner – who replaced Sipho Chaine as part of the earlier triple change – made an excellent save to ensure Bafana kept a second clean sheet in this pair of June internationals.
South Africa will return to competitive action in September’s international window when they face Lesotho and Nigeria in key 2026 World Cup qualifiers.