Bafana Bafana put on a show in Cape Town with dominant display against South Sudan

Bafana Bafana made sure they finished on top in their African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying group after a dominant 3-0 victory over South Sudan in Cape Town.

It was the first time that the senior national team has played in Cape Town in nine years and fans certainly turned up as sold-out signs went up hours before kick-off to celebrate the AFCON-bound hosts.

The raucous Capetonians were rewarded with a quick start as Iqraam Rayners fired Bafana into the lead as early as the seventh minute.

Oswin Appollis, who started the game well, found space down the left-hand side and the nippy winger got to the byline before cutting the ball back for Rayners to finish.

Hugo Broos’ charges controlled almost all the possession in the opening stages and it seemed only a matter of time before the second goal would come.

Patrick Maswanganyi missed a guilt-edge opportunity when he shot straight at South Sudan goalkeeper Majak Mawith when clean through on goal.

The Orlando Pirates winger though made up for his miss when he doubled Bafana’s advantage midway through the first half, finishing off a rebound after Mawith spilt a tame effort from Teboho Mokoena.

The home team failed to add to their tally before the halftime interval despite having more than 70% of the ball possession with Mokoena and Appollis squandering further opportunities.

The only goal-scoring chance for the visitors in the opening period came in the 35th minute when, from a counter-attack, Samuel Taban should have done better but was thwarted by Ronwen Williams.

The hosts were quickly out of the the blocks after the interval were awarded a penalty when Khuliso Mudau was fouled in the box and Mokoena stepped up to convert to make it 3-0.

Broos made four changes with 15 minutes remaining, giving a debut to goalkeeper Sage Stephens who replaced captain  Williams who had won his 50th international cap.

Stellenbosch wing Devin Titus also came off the bench for a maiden senior Bafana appearance towards the end of the contest and by that time the crowd were already singing and dancing in the stands.