POLOKWANE, South Africa (AFP) — It was a record night for South Africa and captain Aaron Mokoena yesterday as the 2010 World Cup hosts outclassed Guatemala 5-0 in a warm-up match.

The winning margin was the biggest since Bafana Bafana returned to international football in 1992 after 28 years of apartheid-induced isolation, bettering four-goal margins against Chad and Thailand.

And it came on the day centreback Mokoena became the first South African footballer to win 100 caps and wore those figures on the back of his shirt just in case anybody was unaware.

The victory also stretched to 11 matches the unbeaten run of the host nation in friendlies since Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira returned last November for a second spell in charge.

Katlego Mphela converted a penalty in each half and Reneilwe Letsholonyane and second-half substitutes Surprise Moriri and Bernard Parker were the other scorers for a team that led 2-0 at half-time.

But South African supporters would be well advised not to get carried away as a Guatemala side ranked 114 do not inhabit the same football planet as Group A rivals Mexico, Uruguay and France, all top-20 nations.

“Technically we were not brilliant but our attitude was very good. Our opponents often had nine men behind the ball so it was good to score five goals,” said Parreira.

“I am not in a very good mood, however, as tomorrow (today) I trim my squad from 28 players to 23 and cut some dreams. For three months I have seen wonderful commitment from all my players and I thank them.”

Caretaker Guatemala coach Francisco Melgar said: “South Africa are ready for the World Cup and can defeat Mexico in the opening match. The stage is set for Bafana Bafana to have a good run.”