Union St.-Gilloise star Relebohile Mofokeng had one of his best performances to date for South Africa, firing Pitso Mosimane's side to a 5-0 win over Eritrea with a brace in Wednesday's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D qualifier in Cairo.
Bafana Bafana dominated possession in the opening minutes, but it took until the 12th minute for them to create a serious opportunity. Mofokeng fired at goal from the edge of the box, but the ball bounced out off the inside of the post.
It did not take long before the attacking midfielder/winger -- who has scored four goals in nine games for Saint-Gilloise since his offseason move from Orlando Pirates -- was in position to score again. In the 19th minute, Oswin Appollis slipped him in inside the box and Mofokeng fired past Yonathan Sultan for the opening goal.
South Africa captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams had a nervy moment in the 22nd minute when he gave the ball away, but the ensuing shot from Eritrea was off target.
Bafana consolidated control thereafter. On the stroke of halftime, Mofokeng was picked out on the left flank by Samukele Kabini. He chopped inside, shifting the ball onto his right foot and slotting past Sultan to double the lead.
South Africa picked up where they left off in the second half, dominating from the get-go. In the 52nd minute, Appollis' drive from the edge of the box was parried, but Sphephelo Sithole was there on the rebound to fire home.
Both Appollis and Sithole were again involved in Bafana's fourth goal, which was scored by Iqraam Rayners in the 63rd minute. Sultan gave the ball away to Sithole, who found Appollis- - allowing the Orlando Pirates winger to tee up Mamelodi Sundowns striker Rayners for the fourth goal.
In the 69th minute, Williams was called into action. Esrom Yohannes had cut inside from Eritrea's right flank, beating Kabini and unleashing a stinging drive. The save was equally impressive, with the effort tipped behind safely.
Bafana generally remained in control, but Eritrea did create further opportunities - the best of which came in the 82nd minute, with Williams pushing away Ali Sulieman's shot at the near post.
Bafana substitute Luther Singh put the cherry on top late on, tapping home after Appollis got on the end of a long ball on the right flank and squared for the AEL Limassol winger to tap home.
Bafana consolidated their position at the top of Group D ahead of Thursday's clash between Guinea and Kenya. South Africa had beaten the National Elephants 2-1 in their opening encounter, while Benni McCarthy's Harambee Stars drew 1-1 with Eritrea in theirs.
Kenya will be at next year's tournament regardless of their position in Group D by virtue of being co-hosts with Tanzania and Uganda. As a result, there is only one other position available at the tournament for either South Africa, Guinea or Eritrea.
Bafana went a long way towards booking their tickets. Although there were moments where they looked somewhat vulnerable at the back, Mofokeng and Appollis appear to be finding their feet in Mosimane's system at the other end. Rayners' goal despite a lack of recent minutes at club level for Sundowns will give Mosimane confidence that his striker problem is not one that cannot be solved.
South Africa will remain in Cairo to face Egypt in a friendly on Sunday, Oct. 4, before a November AFCON qualifying double-header against Kenya.
