David GOMBE
Uganda Cranes suffered a 2-0 defeat to South Africa in their final home of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole on Friday.
Bafana Bafana needed two second half goals from substitutes James Thapelo Morena and Patrick Maswanganyi to cruise to maximum points.
Morena fired the visitors into the lead early in the second half after Cranes midfielder Taddeo Lwanga was caught in possession.
Lwanga was stretched off seemingly injured and replaced by Bobosi Byaruhanga.
The Cranes were second best in the contest and barely threatened the 1996 African champions.
In the closing stages of the game, Orlando Pirates Maswanganyi doubled Bafana Bafana’s lead with a sensational strike when he astonishingly controlled Iqraam Rayners’ perfect ball inside the box to silence the home fans.
Victory sends South Africa top of Group K with 11points while Uganda are second with 10 points.
Both nations are through to next year’s showpiece due in Morocco.
Uganda Cranes will end their qualification campaign away to Congo Brazzaville on Tuesday while South Africa will host South Sudan on the same day.
