2026 WCQ: Mofokeng inspires Bafana Bafana to go top in Group C

South Africa’s Bafana Bafana eased to a 2-0 win over neighbours Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday evening to seize Group C leadership in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Second half goals in quick succession from Orlando Pirates attacker Relebohile Mofokeng and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams sealed the contest. Coach Hugo Broos had at his disposal most of his star players such as forward Lyle Foster and first-choice goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, both returning from injuries.

After a slow and somewhat cagey affair at the packed stadium in the first half, the game came to life at the break. Winger Elias Mokwana had an excellent chance to score early on but fluffed his effort. Likewise, Percy Tau hit the side-netting with a strike from a tight angle. It was little wonder that Lesotho seemed the happier of the two teams going to break.

South Africa started the second half with a sense of urgency. Defender Khuliso Mudau controlled the ball for Tau on the edge of the box but the Qatar-based star's hard and low shot hit the foot of the post before going out of play. Lyle Foster's effort came even closer, hitting the post and rebounding off fallen Lesotho keeper Sekhoane Moerane before hitting the other post before the visitors cleared.

Lesotho continued to live dangerously but somehow survived the onslaught for a long stretch due to luck and stoic defending.

However, Bafana Bafana finally got rewards for their efforts as Mofokeng swept the ball inside the near-post courtesy of Elias Mokwana's dazzling run when the Espérance de Tunis winger danced his way past multiple defenders before laying the ball into the path of the Orlando Pirates starlet.

The goal left Lesotho shattered and preceded a comedy of errors as they struggled to clear their lines to gift South Africa the second. Mudau won a sloppy clearance wide on the right wing and exchanged passes with teammates before picking out Adams who slotted in on his second attempt in the 63rd minute.

In the end, Bafana Bafana built on their unbeaten run of six games comprising four wins and two draws in all competitions. Next, coach Hugo Broos and company travel to West Africa for a top-of-the-table clash against Benin on March 25 while Lesotho visit Rwanda.

Group C Table (5 matches played)

• The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative in the intercontinental qualifying playoff.