South Africa football moved to the top of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Group D after a commanding 5-0 win over Eritrea at Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice, while Sphephelo Sithole, Iqraam Rayners and Luther Singh also found the net as Bafana Bafana produced their second straight victory under returning head coach Pitso Mosimane.
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South Africa Football: South Africa pull clear in Group D
The result gives South Africa six points from two matches and leaves the team alone at the top of the early Group D standings.
South Africa opened the qualifying campaign with a 2-1 home victory over Guinea on September 26 before travelling to Egypt for the neutral-site meeting with Eritrea.
Eritrea entered the match with one point after drawing 1-1 with Kenya in Nairobi, while Guinea and Kenya were scheduled to meet on October 1.
The group also includes Kenya, one of the co-hosts of the 2027 tournament, alongside South Africa, Eritrea and Guinea.
Mofokeng sets the tone
Mofokeng opened the scoring in the 19th minute to give South Africa control before the interval.
The 21-year-old added his second shortly after half-time, turning a strong first-half performance into a decisive advantage.
Sithole then extended the lead in the 52nd minute, with Rayners adding another goal before substitute Singh completed the scoring in stoppage time.
The victory marked Mofokeng’s first goals for the senior national team and continued the positive start to Mosimane’s third spell in charge.
South Africa had entered the match without midfielder Teboho Mokoena and full-back Aubrey Modiba, who were unavailable after suffering injuries during the opening win over Guinea.
A record result for Bafana Bafana
The 5-0 scoreline was South Africa’s largest away victory in an AFCON qualifying match.
It surpassed the team’s previous 4-0 away win over The Gambia during qualifying for the 2017 tournament.
The match was also the first meeting between South Africa and Eritrea at senior international level.
For Eritrea, the fixture represented another major step after the team returned to the main AFCON qualifying stage for the first time in nearly two decades.
Eritrea advanced from the preliminary round after defeating Eswatini 4-1 on aggregate in March 2026.
What comes next for South Africa
South Africa’s next scheduled competitive fixture will come during the following international window as the Group D qualification race develops.
The team is also expected to remain in Egypt for a friendly against the host nation on October 4, giving Mosimane another opportunity to assess his squad.
The remaining Group D match from the current round is Guinea against Kenya on Thursday, October 1.
South Africa’s six-point start provides an early cushion, but the qualification campaign remains at an initial stage and the group standings can change quickly across the remaining fixtures.
For Eritrea, the immediate task is to regroup after conceding five goals and take encouragement from its earlier draw against Kenya.
CAF’s qualifying schedule lists the opening two matchdays between September 24 and October 6, with later rounds set to resume during the November 2026 international window.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result between Eritrea and South Africa?
South Africa defeated Eritrea 5-0 in their AFCON 2027 qualifier in Cairo on September 30, 2026.
Who scored for South Africa against Eritrea?
Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice, while Sphephelo Sithole, Iqraam Rayners and Luther Singh scored once each.
Where does South Africa sit in AFCON qualifying Group D?
South Africa sits first in Group D with six points from two matches.
Who is coaching South Africa?
Pitso Mosimane is coaching South Africa during the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
What is South Africa’s next scheduled match?
South Africa is scheduled to play Egypt in a friendly on October 4, 2026, after the AFCON qualifying win over Eritrea.
Fact-Checked: Key match details, the final score, scorers and qualifying schedule were checked against CAF information and official match reporting.
Disclaimer: Qualification standings and fixtures may change as later matches are played or schedules are amended.