Bafana Bafana scored a winning goal in injury time to beat stubborn South Sudan 3-2 in Juba stadium, in their second 2025 Afcon qualifier.
Hugo Broos’ team went into the break with a 2-1 lead but allowed South Sudan to equalise early in the second half.
The hero of the day was once again, Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha who scored the winner in injury time.
Mbatha also grabbed a last-minute equaliser to draw 2-2 with Uganda in their first Africa Cup of Nation qualifier last Friday.
Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos made only two changes from the squad that drew 2-2 with Uganda.
Broos dropped Veli Mothwa and gave Sipho Chaine his international debut while Thapelo Morena, the two-goal hero in June’s World Cup qualifier, earned a recall following the draw against Uganda last Friday.
Bafana took the game to the home side from the start, with Teboho Mokoena fizzing one effort just wide.
South Sudan goalkeeper Majak Mawith then presented Morena with an early opportunity when he threw the ball straight to the Sundowns man, but after bursting into the area, he couldn’t find a teammate.
In the 13th minute, Bafana’s afternoon got tricky as striker Tito Okello burst clear off the South African defence and was pulled back by Siyabonga Ngezana.
The first contact did look just outside the penalty area, but the referee pointed to the spot. Okello fired the spot kick past Chaine.
Bafana rallied and were level just a couple of minutes later. Aubrey Modiba was getting forward to good effect down the left side, and he found Appollis, who curled a fine finish into the corner of the net.
In the 28th minute, Appollis turned creator, providing a brilliant cross for Lyle Foster, but the Burnley striker headed straight at Mawith.
Mbatha, who came on in the 81 minutes to replace Sphephelo Sithole, scored the equaliser in stoppage time to save Bafana Bafana from going to 2-1.
Bafana Bafana were the host of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Group K and the match was held at Orlando stadium.
Broos would have wanted a win, especially in the first round against Uganda.
However, Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Mothwa who has stood in for the injured Ronwen Williams made an error in the 53 minutes when the ball slipped through his hands causing Bafana Bafana to trail 2-1 behind the visitors.
The Uganda Cranes’ Rogers Mato scored the goal from 40 metres out.
Bafana Bafana started the match very well attacking in the opening minutes of the match and took the lead in the 14th minute.
Khuliso Mudau’s excellent pass found Foster, and his pace took him into the Uganda area to squeeze a finish past Watenga and into the net.
Two minutes later, a fantastic flick from Zwane set up Foster, and his effort was brilliantly tipped around the post by the Ugandan goalkeeper.
Bafana tried to push and find a killer goal at the start of the second half, but instead, it was Uganda who drew level in the 51st minute.
Broos’ side carelessly lost the ball in central midfield and Denis Omedi sent an absolute rocket past Mothwa.
Mothwa could really do nothing about that goal, an absolute howler from the 33-year-old handed the Cranes a surprise lead just two minutes later.
Broos decided to switch things up on the hour mark, with Iqraam Rayner and Morena, the goal scorers in the World Cup qualifying win over Zimbabwe in June, coming on for Appollis and Mokwana.
Orlando Pirates youngster Relebohile Mofokeng also came on, but it was Mbatha who finally made the difference, firing in after Uganda had failed to clear their lines from Aubrey Modiba’s cross.
Bafana Bafana are joined leaders with Uganda in Group K with four points after two games.
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