South Africa defeated Lesotho 2-0 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday evening, with the result lifting them to top spot in Group C.

Bafana Bafana had to endure a frustrating first hour of the match, before goals from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams took them to victory – and first place in the group standings, as they now enjoy a two-point lead over second-placed Benin.

As for Likuena, this second defeat sees them drop to fifth place (second from bottom) – five points off the pace set by their opponents.

South Africa controlled the game from early on, but were left frustrated in their attempts to break the deadlock through the first half.

Young attacker Relebohile Mofokeng showed early promised, shooting wide in the eighth minute and testing out Lesotho goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane on the quarter hour mark, while Percy Tau sent a drive into the side netting from the left of the penalty area midway through the first half.

The closest Bafana Bafana came to a goal in the first stanza was a header from a corner kick by Nkosinathi Sibisi on 35 minutes, but his effort was cleared off the line, followed quickly by another Mofokeng effort which was saved by Moerane.

Jayden Adams and Teboho Mokoena both tried their luck from long range – sending shots just off target – while Lyle Foster had a chance late in the first half from a Khuliso Mudau cross, but the ball passed through a crowd of bodies and took the striker by surprise, as he put his header wide of the far post.

Foster was inches away from scoring early in the second half, as his low drive from the ‘D’ of the box struck the post. The ball rebounded off the woodwork and hit the back of Moerane, before tricking into the other post, as Likuena somehow maintained a blank score line.

Bafana Bafana finally broke through in the 61st minute, with Elias Mokwana tearing into the Lesotho backline from the right flank, and taking several defenders out of the game, before teeing up Mofokeng, who whipped a shot past the right hand of Moerane to make it 1-0.

The goal saw South Africa’s confidence soar and a superbly-crafted second arrived just a few minutes later, with an intricate passing move setting up Adams. The midfielder saw his initial effort blocked by a defender, but the rebound came straight back to him and he was able to steer home a second shot for 2-0.

The hosts had chances to add to their advantage – most notably from Tau and substitute Iqraam Rayners – but ultimately settled for a comfortable and deserved triumph which could be a major step on the road back to the World Cup.

The teams will return to Group C action on Tuesday, 25 April, with South Africa away to Benin in neutral Abidjan, and Lesotho visiting Rwanda in Kigali.

South Africa (0) 2 (Mofokeng 61’, Adams 64’)

Lesotho 0

SA: Williams, Mudau, Ngezana, Sibisi, Basadien, Mokoena (Mbatha 82’), Adams (Aubaas 82’), Mokwana (Morena 66’), Mofokeng, Tau (Maphangule 90+3’), Foster (Rayners 82’)

Lesotho: Moerane, Mkwanazi, Bereng, Lebokollane (Toloane 70’), Makateng (Malane 88’), Makhele, Makhetha, Matlabe, Snyders, Matsau, Mokhachane