Staff Reporter.
@GalloImages.
South Africa completed a successful 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification campaign with a 3-0 win over South Sudan at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The result, secured by goals from Iqraam Rayners, Patrick Maswanganyi and Teboho Mokoena, saw Bafana Bafana top Group K ahead of fellow qualifiers Uganda (who won 1-0 away to Congo in a concurrent clash).
South Africa dominated from early on and claimed the lead in just the seventh minute, with Oswin Appollis doing great work down the left to tee up Iqraam Rayners, who had a simple close range finish for 1-0.
At the midway point of the first half, the hosts doubled their advantage, as South Sudan goalkeeper Majak Mawith fumbled a long-range effort from Teboho Mokoena and Patrick Maswanganyi was on hand to capitalise, rounding the glovesman before tapping home.
Bafana Bafana had to wait until five minutes after the restart in the second half for their third goal, as Teboho Mokoena scored from a penalty.
The spot kick was awarded after Khuliso Mudau was bundled over off the ball inside the 18-yard area.
With the game fully under control, South Africa were even able to hand 33-year-old goalkeeper Sage Stephens his senior national team debut, as he replaced captain Ronwen Williams with just over a quarter hour of regulation time remaining.
The hosts saw out the remainder of the match in comfort to close out an excellent Afcon qualification campaign.
Meanwhile Zambia cemented their place at the top of Group G in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier following a 2-0 victory against Sierra Leone at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, Liberia, on Tuesday night.