Highlights and Goals South Africa vs Lesotho (2-0) World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
South Africa played a great game and achieved an important victory, continuing their dream of reaching the 2026 World Cup. Lesotho were not on par with their opponent.
With goals from Relebohile Ratomo in the 60th minute and Jayden Adams in the 64th minute, South Africa defeated Lesotho 2-0 in Matchday 5 (Group C) of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Four more minutes will be played at Peter Mokaba Stadium. South Africa partially defeats Lesotho 2-0. Exciting moments are underway for the African qualifiers.
South Africa again had a chance to score the third goal. The substitutions paid off, allowing them to turn around a game they couldn't seem to win in the first hour.
Lesotho woke up rather late, and there won't be enough time to turn the result around. The visitors never proposed and always waited in their own field to see what South Africa could do.
This is what the stadium looks like today. There are 10 minutes left in the game. South Africa is close to a third goal, having their best moments so far in the match.
Lesotho pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but they must be very careful, as South Africa is very good at counterattacking. There are just under 20 minutes left in the game.
In a matter of 10 minutes, South Africa wrapped up the game. Unfortunately, Lesotho made two serious errors, and the home side scored. These were more due to their mistakes than to the opponent's strength.
The game is over, and South Africa scores another goal. A serious error by the Lesotho defense left a rebound in the box, which they took advantage of to score.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL by Relebohile Ratomo. South Africa takes the lead, thanks to a great collective play by the home team. The crowd celebrated the goal with excitement!
South Africa vehemently demanded a penalty, but the referee ignored the VAR call. The home side is upset with the referee's attitude regarding the situation on the pitch.
South Africa had a clear chance to score, but the Lesotho goalkeeper saved. The home side came close with considerable danger, looking much more relaxed and with a different rhythm. They should focus more on creating than on physicality.
The second half begins, and we're back to experience the excitement between South Africa and Lesotho. It was a first half with few thrills and few scoring chances. We hope to improve in this game.
END! The first half is over! The referee blows his whistle and decrees the end of the first half of the match. For now, despite the South African team's efforts, the score remains unchanged. 0-0 and it's off to the showers.
The first half is almost over. The stopwatch reads 45 minutes and the referee decides to add only one minute to the regulation time, as the game has been played fluently. For the moment, the score remains goalless.
The match remains tied without goals. There are only five minutes left plus whatever the referee wants to add before the end of the first half. Lesotho continues to hold their own in defense, although South Africa is no longer consistent in attack.
SOUTH AFRICA HAD A CHANCE! A good shot from the ground by Jayden Adams, who looked for his profile to shoot, but the ball went just wide of the right post. Another chance for the home team, who keep trying.
We passed the half hour mark. The score remains unchanged, with South Africa continuing to look for the opening goal. Lesotho had the chance they generated from the free kick, but have done little more to insist.
Lesotho approached the South African net. First chance for the visiting team and it comes from a free kick, Tshwarelo Bereng from a free kick, but the ball goes just wide of the left post. We remain goalless.
South Africa had a chance! The home team came close with a shot by Percy Tau, who tried to surprise from the left flank with a left-footed shot, but the ball went near the right post. Still goalless.
The match is still going on. For now, there is not much pace of play, it has been rather slow, but South Africa has been the one trying to do something in attack. Lesotho, for the moment, is working more on defense.
South Africa came close again. Once again Relebohile Ratomo appeared, this time receiving the ball near the box down the middle, he turned and shot with his left foot, but Sekhoane Moerane caught the ball.
The match remains 0-0 for now. Lesotho has not yet been able to make headway to get into the South African side's half. Although they try to circulate the ball when they have it, they are not deep.
SOUTH AFRICA MISSES! Relebohile Ratomo appeared on the left side of the box and, after being marked by two opponents and the goalkeeper, shot with his right foot, but the ball went into the right side of the goal.
First moments of the match. There are still no scoring opportunities, although South Africa has had the initiative to go on the attack. Lesotho, for the time being, is protecting itself with the block in the midfield.
The match is underway! The referee has blown the whistle and the match between South Africa and Lesotho is underway in stage 5 of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. We will see who gets the three points.
EVERYTHING IS READY! The Peter Mokaba Stadium welcomes the players of the South African and Lesotho national teams to the pitch to resume their journey towards the World Cup. The fans in attendance have created a great atmosphere.
"I think this is a match that is highly anticipated by the supporters, as you know we are neighbouring countries, so it's not usual that we play often, and people are looking forward to the game, which we believe is going to be a very great encounter," Notsi told CAFOnline.
Lesotho were trashed 7-0 by Morocoo in their last game. This was an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on the road at Honneur Stadium in Oujda, with Lesotho being restricted to 32% possession and one shot on target.
In the teams most recent World Cup qualifiers, South Africa won 3-1 when hosting Zimbabwe, while Lesotho lost 1-0 to Rwanda at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
It was a 0-0 draw when South Africa last faced Lesotho, with South Africa playing host to this friendly match in January 2024.
South Africa approach this fixture after beating South Sudan 3-0 at home in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Bafana Bafana boasted a massive 82% possession and had ten shots on target at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, with Iqraam Rayners, Patrick Maswanganyi and Teboho Mokoena on the scoresheet.
We are back! We are ready to bring you all the action from the South Africa vs Lesotho match on Matchday 5 (Group C) in World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. We invite you to follow along with us the actions of this match.
Stay tuned for live coverage of South Africa vs Lesotho here.
We will soon share with you the starting lineups for the South Africa vs Lesotho live match, as well as the latest information from Peter Mokaba Stadium. Don't miss a single detail of the live match updates and commentary from VAVEL's coverage.
South Africa haven’t qualified for a World Cup finals since 2002. They only qualified for the 2010 World Cup as hosts. Lesotho themselves have never qualified for a World Cup and face a tough challenge to do so this time around.
South Africa are one of three sides with seven points in qualification Group C after four rounds, having secured two wins at home. They remain unbeaten in an incredible 16 games across all competitions.
South Africa won the previous two World Cup qualifying matches between these teams. 2-0 in Lesotho and 1-0 in South Africa, both in April 2000.
The overall record between South Africa and Lesotho is: South Africa wins – 6, Lesotho wins – 2, draws – 4.
South Africa have lost only two of their last ten World Cup qualifying matches (W6 D2).
South Africa have won their last five World Cup qualifying matches in South Africa.
Excluding penalty shoot-outs, South Africa are unbeaten in their last 21 international matches (W9 D12). Since a 2-0 defeat against Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations group stage in January 2024.
Lesotho have lost only one of their last nine World Cup qualifying matches (W2 D6). The defeat was in their most recent such fixture (L 0-1 vs Rwanda, 11 June 2024)
Hello to all VAVEL readers! Welcome to the broadcast of the match South Africa vs Lesotho on Matchday 5 (Group C) in World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. The match will take place at Peter Mokaba Stadium located in Polokwane, South African, at 12:00 PM (ET).
My name is Juan Sebastian Rodriguez and I will be your host for this match. We will bring you pre-match analysis, score updates and live news here on VAVEL.
