Thalente Mbatha rescues Bafana again with late winner against South Sudan

Mbatha repeated his heroics from the 2-2 draw against Uganda - again as a second-half substitute and with another stoppage-time goal. It marks the first victory of Bafana's AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign and sees them now in second position - level on points with first-placed Uganda - who have a superior goal difference.

The match began quietly, but things quickly heated up when Sipho Ngezana fouled South Sudan's Tito Okello inside the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty and showed Ngezana a yellow card.

Okello stepped up to the spot and confidently converted the penalty, sending the ball past debutant Sipho Chaine, who was guarding the Bafana net.

South Sudan's lead, however, was short-lived. Less than two minutes later, South Africa equalized when captain Themba Zwane delivered a precise pass to Oswin Appollis, whose close-range finish marked his first goal for the national team.

Appollis nearly turned provider shortly after, delivering a cross from the left wing that found Lyle Foster but unfortunately, Foster's header was easily gathered by the Bright Stars' goalkeeper Majak Mawith.

As the first half neared its end, Bafana had a chance to take the lead. Thapelo Morena's shot, following a brilliant run and assist from Aubrey Modiba, was initially blocked by a defender's arm before the rebound hit the crossbar, denying the visitors the go-ahead goal.

But moments later, Appollis was in the right place at the right time, scoring his second goal of the match after Foster's previous shot had struck the crossbar.

In a surprising twist, South Sudan equalized again thanks to some poor defending from Hugo Broos' side as Valentino Yuel seized on the mistake and put the ball past Chaine, making it 2-2.

Teenager Relebohile Mofokeng, who had replaced Appollis, nearly put South Africa ahead in the 75th minute. After a patient build-up, Mofokeng's shot narrowly missed the target.

Ultimately, it was up to Mbatha, who came on for Spephelo Sithole in the 72nd minute, to spare Bafana's blushes again against a team ranked 169th in the world when he found himself just inside of a crowded South Sudanese box before blasting a fierce effort into the back of the net.

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