Bafana Bafana has made a strong start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) campaign under the guidance of coach Pitso Mosimane, securing a 2-1 win over Guinea and a 5-0 victory against Eritrea. These results have placed the team in a favorable position to top Group D in the qualifiers. Mosimane expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, highlighting the importance of building on the foundation laid by his predecessor, Hugo Broos. The team's journey began on September 26, 2026, with the win over Guinea, followed by the emphatic victory over Eritrea on September 30, 2026.
The match against Eritrea was played in Cairo, Egypt, due to Eritrea's inability to host the game in their own country, a common practice in African football due to infrastructure or conflict issues. Despite Eritrea starting strong and even hitting the woodwork early in the game, Bafana Bafana's superior quality eventually told. The team's midfielder, Bathusi Aubaas, suffered an injury just 12 minutes into the game, but his replacement, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, integrated seamlessly into the team.
Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice in the first half, while Sphephelo Sithole, Iqraam Rayners, and Luther Singh added to the tally in the second half, securing a convincing 5-0 win. The victory was set up by a defence-splitting pass from Oswin Appollis to Mofokeng, who opened the scoring on 19 minutes. The final goal came via an assist from Appollis to substitute Singh, who slotted home from close range.
Coach Pitso Mosimane was pleased with the team's performance, emphasizing that the win and the number of goals scored were the most important aspects. He acknowledged the challenges of integrating new players, particularly with six players from the 2026 Fifa World Cup squad unavailable due to injury or other reasons. Mosimane expressed gratitude to his predecessor, Hugo Broos, for laying a solid foundation for the team.
The team's fans were also thrilled with the results, expressing their support for Mosimane and the team's performance. Lwandile Magudulela, an 18-year-old fan, welcomed Mosimane and praised the team's win against Guinea at the Orlando Stadium. Another supporter, Phakiso Ratsiu, highlighted the team's overall performance and the need for improvement in certain areas, such as reducing back passes and retaining possession.
Bafana Bafana will now focus on an international friendly match against Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on October 4, 2026. This game will provide an opportunity for Mosimane to work on the team's playing style and for the players to better understand the coach's requirements. With seven goals scored in two games, Mosimane's team has made a strong statement in the qualifiers.
The wins have raised expectations among fans, who are eager to see the team continue their good form. As the team prepares for the friendly match against Egypt, they will look to build on their momentum and make further progress under Mosimane's leadership. The coach's ability to integrate new players and improve the team's performance will be crucial in their quest for success in the 2027 Afcon.
Key points
- Bafana Bafana secured a 2-1 win over Guinea and a 5-0 victory against Eritrea in their 2027 Afcon qualifiers.
- Coach Pitso Mosimane expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, highlighting the importance of building on the foundation laid by Hugo Broos.
- The team will now focus on an international friendly match against Egypt on October 4, 2026, to work on their playing style and build momentum.
