South Africa's national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, began their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Guinea at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on Saturday. The win was secured thanks to a 77th-minute goal from substitute Samukelo Kabini, following Ime Okon's first-half opener and Seydouba Cisse's equalizer for Guinea. This result marks a positive start for Pitso Mosimane in his second spell as Bafana head coach.
Guinea coach Paulo Duarte made headlines after the match by ranking Bafana Bafana among Africa's top three teams, alongside continental heavyweights Morocco and Senegal. Duarte's assessment was made during his post-match press conference, where he praised South Africa's performance despite their narrow win. This high praise was acknowledged by Mosimane, who expressed gratitude but also emphasized that his team still has a long way to go.
Mosimane welcomed Duarte's comments, describing them as "humbling." He referenced South Africa's bronze medal finish at AFCON 2023 as a possible reason for Duarte's assessment. However, Mosimane was quick to stress that his team is still building and has plenty to prove. The coach's focus is on progressing from their current stage rather than dwelling on external validation.
The victory over Guinea could prove crucial in Group D, particularly given that co-hosts Kenya have already secured a spot at the finals. Bafana Bafana will face Eritrea in their next qualifier in Egypt on September 30, while Guinea are set to face Kenya. Mosimane's side will look to build on their winning start and take three crucial points from one of their primary group rivals.
For Mosimane, the priority is on progressing from their current stage rather than justifying Duarte's lofty assessment. While South Africa have taken a significant step forward, the head coach knows that there is still a long road ahead before Bafana can consistently compete with the continent's elite teams. Mosimane's focus is on developing his team and preparing them for future challenges.
The match itself was marked by a strong start from Bafana Bafana, with Okon opening the scoring in the first half. However, Guinea levelled through Cisse, forcing Mosimane to make tactical adjustments. The introduction of Kabini proved decisive, as he scored the winning goal in the 77th minute. This victory demonstrates the team's resilience and ability to respond to setbacks.
As Bafana Bafana look to build on their momentum, they will face Eritrea in their next qualifier on September 30. The team's performance in the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining their chances of qualifying for AFCON 2027. With a positive start to their campaign, Mosimane's side will aim to maintain their momentum and secure a spot at the finals.
Key points
- Bafana Bafana began their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over Guinea.
- Guinea coach Paulo Duarte ranked South Africa among Africa's top three teams, alongside Morocco and Senegal.
- Pitso Mosimane emphasized that his team still has a long way to go despite Duarte's high praise.
