In a thrilling showdown at Juba Stadium in South Sudan on Tuesday, Bafana Bafana secured a dramatic 3-2 triumph over South Sudan in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The match kept fans on the edge of their seats, with both teams displaying impressive attacking intent and fierce determination from start to finish.

South Sudan Strikes First, Bafana Bafana Responds

South Sudan broke the deadlock in the 15th minute, with Tito Okello calmly converting a penalty to give the home side an early lead. Bafana, however, wasted no time in responding, as Oswin Appollis equalized just five minutes later with a well-taken strike. The intense back-and-forth continued throughout the first half, with Appollis once again finding the net right before halftime, giving South Africa a slender 2-1 advantage heading into the break.

Thalente Mbatha’s Last-Minute Heroics

The second half saw South Sudan refuse to back down, and their persistence paid off when Valentino Yuel scored in the 57th minute, restoring parity at 2-2. As the clock ticked down, the match seemed destined for a draw, but Bafana Bafana had other plans. Deep into injury time, substitute Thalente Mbatha capitalized on a loose ball at the edge of the box, unleashing a stunning left-footed volley that rocketed into the back of the net. His dramatic winner sent the South African bench into a frenzy, sealing the hard-fought victory.

Crucial Win Boosts Bafana Bafana’s AFCON Hopes

This crucial win marks Bafana Bafana’s first in Group K of the AFCON qualifiers, pushing them to four points, level with Uganda at the top of the table. Mbatha’s late heroics were particularly remarkable, as it was his second consecutive injury-time goal, having salvaged a 2-2 draw against Uganda in their previous outing.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Group K Battles

The victory will be a major boost to the South African squad’s morale as they continue their push to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON tournament. Their resilience and knack for scoring in high-pressure moments will be invaluable as they prepare for the challenges ahead.

Both teams will resume their Group K campaigns next month, with Bafana Bafana facing a tough double-header against Congo, while South Sudan squares off against Uganda twice in what promises to be another set of intense encounters.