Bafana boss Hugo Broos: We have still not qualified but are in a very good position

Goals from Mohau Nkota (15'), Lyle Foster (63') and Oswin Appollis (67') secured the result in a one-sided encounter at the Free State Stadium.

The result saw South Africa end the evening five points clear of second-placed Benin ahead of facing third-placed Nigeria (10 points) on Tuesday.

Prior to the game, the head coach was forced to replace injured Ime Okon with Thabo Moloisane and Patrick Maswanganyi with Sipho Mbule, while right back Nyiko Mobbie has since been replaced by Thabiso Monyane after a head injury sustained early on against Lesotho forced him out of the squad.

Speaking after the game, Broos expressed his delight with the performance, especially having dealt with a number of injuries ahead of the tie.

Moloisane, meanwhile, was substituted with a head injury in the second half, but he is expected to be fit to face Nigeria.

Broos told SABC Sport: "It was not so easy, we were very nervous after all that happened before.

"But we did what we had to do. We made beautiful goals. We were never in danger and with all the injuries we had, the guys who came in did really well."

On having to replace Mobbie, Broos added he wasn't concerned about having to make an enforced change so early on in the game.

"I said before that from what I saw in training those (other) guys were ready. It was Zuko's first game (in a World Cup qualifier) and he did very well but I always believed in that. What I saw in training this week gave me confidence.

"I think we have to go on now, that is the most important thing. We have still not qualified, even if we are in a very good position. There are still three games. We have it in our hands so we must try not to give it away and in one month hopefully we can have a big party."

Bafana complete their qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October.