Bafana Bafana moved top of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying group with a 2-0 win over Uganda at the Mandela National Stadium on Friday afternoon.
With both sides unbeaten, and securing qualification to Morocco 2025 before kicking a ball in Kampala, due to South Sudan beating Congo Brazzaville 3-2 on Thursday, it proved to be a rather cagey opening half.
No shots on target were registered from either side in a sold-out arena, which looked poised for some entertainment with a riveting pre-match atmosphere.
The notable changes in Hugo Broos starting line-up was the return of Mothobi Mvala at centre-back, Evidence Makgopa leading the line and Luke Le Roux in the 10 role replacing the injured Themba Zwane.
But it was Thapelo Morena, a second-half change for Elias Mokwana who found the opener, profiting from a defence mix-up from the Cranes and slotting the ball past Ismail Watenga.
Another substitute, Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi found the second, his first goal of his senior international career, turning his man and firing a low shot home after being played into the area by Iqraam Rayners, another substitute from Broos.
Three points for Broos’ side moved them to 11, one point ahead of Uganda, with three wins and two draws in five games.
They now return to South Africa for the final game of the qualifiers against South Sudan in Cape Town at the DHL Stadium.
