Bafana Bafana progressed to the Cosafa Cup plate final after thrashing Namibia 4-1 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

The host got off to a lively start and nearly took the lead in the fifth minute when Lebogang Maboe forced Maximilian Mbaeva into making a fine save.

Bafana eventually took the lead after 25 minutes as Aubrey Modiba converted from the penalty spot to make it 1-0.

Maboe doubled his side’s lead three minutes later when he beat his marker before slotting the ball past Mbaeva.

Namibia managed to pull a goal back in the 39th minute after Deon Hotto found the back of the net with his volley.

However, Bafana extended their lead five minutes from time when Maboe slotted home from close range.

Bafana Bafana went into half-time with a 3-1 lead.

Stuart Baxter’s men came out guns blazing in the second half and extended their lead even further as captain Siyanda Xulu found the back of the net with a great finish to make it 4-1.

Namibia continued to press forward as they tried to reduce the deficit, but they were finding it hard to break down the Bafana Bafana defence.

Substitute Gift Links had a golden opportunity to score when he unleashed a strike from distance, but his effort sailed wide of the target.

The Brave Warriors pressed forward in search of a goal in the closing stages of the game, but their decision-making in the final third let them down.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix