Bafana Bafana recorded a 3-1 victory over Zimbabwe in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Free State Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos made a single change from the draw against Nigeria, with Oswin Appollis replacing the injured Percy Tau, while former Orlando Pirates star Marshall Munetsi and Divine Lunga picking out the Warriors eleven.
It was a fast start after a defensive error allowed Iqraam Rayners to step in-behind, take a few steps forward and side-foot in the bottom-corner in the opening seconds.
However, within a minute a response showed from the Zimbabweans when Tawanda Chirewa cut in from the right of the area after combining with Munetsi and dispatched with ease.
Appollis were extremely close to restoring the lead for the host with a fierce drive from the area, but he was repelled before the Warriors managed to clear away.
The home team didn't lose any momentum thereafter but continued to battle away and saw Rayners attempt a double, but he unfortunately couldn't profit at the far post.
Rayners was in the thick of things again and a curler from the far post produced a finger-tip save from goalkeeper Godfrey Chitsumba just before the interval.
Bafana made a substitution before the second half with Thapelo Morena in for Elias Mokwana, while Zimbabwe introduced Daniel Msendami for Douglas Mapfumo.
Morena proved crucial ten minutes after coming in and tapped in a gaping net from close-range as Chitsumba spilled a cross from Appollis.
Hugo Broos' men remained on the up as a number of overloads pinned the Warriors to their own half with countless efforts from all fronts.
The Mamelodi Sundowns defender turned up again when he ran onto a pin-point through pass from Teboho Mokoena and rounded Chitsumba for a simple finish.
Bafana were keen to add more later on and came close through a one-on-one by Appollis, but Chitsumba stood firm and made a save.
Teen sensation Relebohile Mofokeng was introduced in the dying minutes for his debut, as Bafana secured the win to go second in the group with the Warriors bottom.
Confirmed line-ups:
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Mvala, Ngezana, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Zwane, Appollis, Mokwana, Rayners
Subs: Mothwa, Goss, Mobbie, Mofokeng, Adams, Foster, Tau, Maswanganyi, Aubaas, Msimango, Sibisi, Morena
Zimbabwe: Chitsumba, Garananga, Takwara, Murwira, Lunga, Hachiro, Munetsi, Rinomhota, Mapfumo, Chirewa, Musona.
Subs: Bernard, Hadebe, Zumura, Kadewere, Phuthi, Msendami, Mapisa, Galloway, Maroodza, Rushesha, Maswanhise, Machope.
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