Thapelo Morena scored a brace as Bafana Bafana secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Zimbabwe in their FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday.

South Africa got off to a perfect start and opened the scoring as early as the first minute when Iqraam Rayners pounced on an error from Munashe Garananga to find the back of the net.

The visitors responded immediately and levelled matters a minute later with a goal from Tawanda Chirewa.

Neither side could find the goal to put them ahead in the first half as the game went into the half time break locked at 1-1.

Bafana restored their lead in the 55th minute when substitute Thapelo Morena slotted the ball into an empty net after latching on to a cross by Oswin Appollis.

Morena completed his brace in the 73rd minute when he was played through on goal before rounding the keeper and slotting the ball home.

South Africa held on to their lead until the final whistle to secure all three points and claim a crucial win in Group C.

Photo by Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix