Bafana Bafana celebrate AFCON qualification with victory in Uganda

Both goals came in the second half with substitutes Thapelo Morena and Patrick Maswanganyi both scoring from close-range at the Mandela International Stadium, named after South African statesman Nelson Mandela.

Bafana now sit top of the standings with 11 points from five games with Uganda joining them in next year's AFCON with 10 points and one match left to play in the group.

The visitors controlled the first half without ever really threatening the Uganda goal while the hosts looked dangerous with their pacy forwards on the counter-attack.

Bafana coach Hugo Broos opted to bring on Morena early in the after the halftime interval, replacing the in-effective right-wing Elias Mokwana and move paid immediate dividends.

Bathusi Aubaas did well to squeeze and put the Uganda defence under pressure before the ball fell to Morena in the box and Sundowns player calmly slotted into the back of the net.

The visitors almost doubled their advantage when home goalkeeper Ismail Watenga gave the ball away trying to pass into midfield and Iqraam Rayners won it but volleyed his effort just wide.

Bafana doubled their lead and sealed the victory in the 89th minute when Rayners played a delightful chip into the box and the on-rushing Maswanganyi showed a good first touch and finish for his first international goal.

Hugo Broos' charges can seal top spot in the group with a win a against South Sudan with the teams meeting at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday.

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