South Africa's national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, began their Afcon qualifier campaign on a high note with a 2-1 win over Guinea on Saturday afternoon. The team's coach, Pitso Mosimane, who was in charge of his first game of his second stint, praised Samukele Kabini for his impressive performance. Kabini came off the bench to replace Aubrey Modiba, who was struggling with tightness, and scored a decisive goal in the 77th minute.
Kabini's goal was a result of accurate execution, as he managed to get into space, latch onto a pass, and hit a hard, low ball past Soumaila Sylla in goal. Before the goal, Kabini had a conversation with Mosimane on the touchline, but the coach refused to take credit for the left-back's impact. Mosimane attributed Kabini's performance to the advice of teammate Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who had urged him to "toughen up" after a nervy cameo in a World Cup qualifier against Nigeria late last year.
Mosimane noted that Kabini and Faawaz Basadien can fill the void left by Aubrey Modiba in the next two matches against Eritrea on Wednesday and Egypt on Sunday, October 4. He explained that Kabini is a big, solid player who is strong and can handle the physicality of the game. Mosimane also praised Kamogelo Sebelebele, who redeemed himself after a tough start to the game and claimed the Player of the Match award.
Sebelebele's performance was impressive, especially in the second half, where he figured out Aliou Baldé's trickery and won duels. Mosimane was pleased with Sebelebele's effort, noting that he has the speed to challenge and win duels. The coach also acknowledged that Sebelebele's performance was crucial in securing the win for Bafana Bafana.
Mosimane's tactics and team selection were also praised, as Bafana Bafana showed steel and tactical depth to secure three points at Orlando Amstel Arena. Despite a sluggish second-half collapse that let Guinea equalize, the team managed to score a late winner through Kabini. Mosimane's decisions suggest that competition will be fierce, with established stars challenged to maintain standards while youngsters push for their opportunities.
The win over Guinea is a significant boost for Bafana Bafana, who are looking to qualify for the Afcon tournament. Mosimane's second stint as coach has begun on a positive note, and the team will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches. The coach will be hoping that his players can maintain their form and secure more wins in the future.
The next two matches against Eritrea and Egypt will be crucial for Bafana Bafana, as they look to secure more points and top their qualifying group. Mosimane will be relying on his squad to perform well and secure a spot in the Afcon tournament. With a solid performance against Guinea, the team has shown that they have the potential to compete against top teams and secure important wins.
Key points
- Pitso Mosimane praises Samukele Kabini for his decisive goal and resilience in Bafana Bafana's 2-1 win over Guinea.
- Mosimane attributes Kabini's performance to the advice of teammate Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
- Bafana Bafana's win over Guinea is a significant boost for the team, who are looking to qualify for the Afcon tournament.
