AFCON Qualifiers: Bafana Bafana Player Ratings in a 3-2 Victory Over South Sudan

Bafana Bafana secured a vital 3-2 victory over South Sudan in a thrilling 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier held on September 10, 2024. The match, played at the Juba Stadium, saw both teams display relentless attacking football and fighting spirit. Here, we break down the individual performances that led South Africa to this crucial win.

Bafana Bafana Player Ratings:

1. Oswin Appollis – 9/10:
   Appollis was the star performer, netting two vital goals that gave Bafana Bafana the upper hand. His movement off the ball and ability to find space in critical areas were outstanding. His calmness in front of goal was matched by his work rate, making him a constant menace for the South Sudan defence.
2. Thalente Mbatha – 9/10:
   Mbatha stole the headlines with a dramatic injury-time winner. Coming off the bench, he immediately injected energy into the attack, demonstrating impressive composure under pressure. His quick thinking and precision in the final moments turned the tide, sealing Bafana’s win.
3. Relebohile Mofokeng (Sub) – 7.5/10:
   Mofokeng entered the fray in the second half, adding creativity and pace to the attack. His dribbling skills unsettled South Sudan’s defence, and he played a crucial role in linking up play. Though he didn’t score, his presence contributed to Bafana’s late surge.
4. Aubrey Modiba (LB) – 7/10:
   Modiba had an influential performance on the left side, providing the assist for Appollis’ first goal. His overlapping runs and set-piece deliveries kept South Sudan under pressure throughout the game. Defensively solid, he was also a consistent outlet in attack.
5. Thapelo Morena (RB) – 7/10:
   Morena was a constant threat on the right flank, combining pace and attacking intent. He nearly found the back of the net and contributed significantly to the team’s forward momentum. However, his defensive positioning left room for improvement, particularly in transition.
6. Lyle Foster (ST) – 6.5/10:
   Foster put in a tireless shift up front, holding the ball up effectively and bringing others into play. While he didn’t find the net, his movement created opportunities for his teammates, and he was unlucky not to score.
7. Sphephelo Sithole (CM) – 6/10:
   Sithole put in a steady performance in the heart of midfield, distributing the ball efficiently and breaking up South Sudan’s play. He controlled the tempo well but was not as adventurous going forward as the game demanded.
8. Teboho Mokoena (CM) – 6/10:
   Mokoena worked hard alongside Sithole but struggled to impose himself fully on the game. He was solid defensively but lacked creativity in attack, often opting for safe passing when riskier options might have opened up the play.
9. Sipho Chaine (GK) – 5.5/10:
   Making his senior international debut, Chaine had a mixed evening. He made some crucial saves that kept Bafana in the contest, but he could have done better in preventing the two South Sudan goals. A learning curve for the young goalkeeper.
10. Siyabonga Ngezana (CB) – 5/10:
    Ngezana had a difficult match, giving away an early penalty and looking unsettled under pressure. South Sudan’s physical style troubled him, and he will need to work on his decision-making to avoid similar errors in the future.

Overall Assessment:

Though it wasn’t a flawless display, Bafana Bafana’s resilience shone through as they fought back to claim victory. Defensive issues persist, especially in handling physical opponents, but the team’s attacking players proved decisive. Mbatha’s late strike underscored the importance of having impactful substitutes, and Appollis’ brilliance up front provided the foundation for a memorable win. The squad will need to tighten up defensively as they look ahead to future qualifiers, but this result keeps their AFCON hopes alive.

Related article: Pirates’ Thalente Mbatha Shines Again as Bafana Edge South Sudan 3-2