The victory moves Bafana Bafana top of Group A after three rounds of qualifiers.
Shakes Mashaba made three changes to the side that held defending AFCON champion, Nigeria, to a goalless draw last time out with Oupa Manyisa and Sibusiso Vilakazi dropping to the bench.
Bournemouth striker, Tokelo Rantie, returned to the starting XI along with the recalled Thulani Serero while there was also a start for 17-year-old Rivaldo Coetzee who subsequently became the youngest ever Bafana international.
Congo captain, Delvin N’Dinga, meanwhile, returned for the Red Devils who recorded two wins in the opening two qualifiers.
Thievy Bifouma again proved to be Congo’s main attacking outlet with the Almeria forward troubling the visitors defence in the early exchanges.
The lively striker forced Senzo Meyiwa into a good save at his near post in the 15th minute, directing a precise cross on target from an acute angle, the Orlando Pirates shot stopper though was up to the task.
Both sides continued to create chances in the first half with Rantie and Ndulula guilty of squandering half chances for the visitors.
The second-half was non-stop action with N’Dinga shooting over in the opening exchanges following a mad scramble before Meyiwa pulled off an superb save to deny Fode Dore who was straight through on goal.
Mandla Masango then went close for Bafana, rattling the upright with a cracking effort. A quickly taken free-kick caught the Red Devils sleeping and the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder almost made them pay with a fierce effort.
South Africa took the lead through Ndulula in the 52nd minute. Thulani Hlatshwayo’s header found the AmaZulu striker who found the back of the net via a bicycle kick.
Three minutes later and it was 2-0. Dean Furman picked out Rantie who made no mistake, firing past Chancel Massa from close range to cap an outstanding passage of play by the visitors.
Credit/ The Sun
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