Nocturnal 
Pitso Mosimane’s second spell in charge of South Africa couldn’t have started much better. Bafana Bafana beat Guinea 2-1 at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday to kick off their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, and they’re straight back in action today against Eritrea in Cairo.
Ime Okon put South Africa ahead in the 30th minute before Guinea’s Seydouba Cisse levelled things up in the 69th. But Samukelo Kabini had the final say, firing home the winner in the 77th minute to send the home fans away happy, as first reported by beIN SPORTS.
Mosimane back at the helm
It marked Mosimane’s first competitive game since returning for a third spell as South Africa head coach, taking over from Hugo Broos. The 61-year-old largely stuck with the squad that represented the country at the 2026 World Cup, but he also handed first senior call-ups to five uncapped players: Lebone Seema, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Yanela Mbuthuma, Puso Dithejane and Tashreeq Matthews.
Captain Ronwen Williams and midfielders Teboho Mokoena and Themba Zwane were among the experienced heads Mosimane leant on, alongside attacking talent such as Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis and Iqraam Rayners, according to Afrik-Foot.
Guinea, managed by Paulo Duarte, travelled with Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy as their main attacking threat, plus returning names Ilaix Moriba, Madiou Keïta and Saïdou Sow. The Syli National were missing several established players, including Naby Keïta, Mohamed Mady Camara and Morgan Guilavogui, who didn’t make the squad.
Why this group matters so much
South Africa and Guinea are sharing Group D with Kenya and Eritrea in qualifying for AFCON 2027. Kenya, as one of the tournament’s co-hosts, have already secured their place at the finals automatically. That leaves South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea fighting it out for just one remaining spot, with each side playing six matches in total.
That’s why Saturday’s opening win matters so much for Mosimane’s men. Every point in this group carries extra weight given only the top-placed team among the three non-hosts will go through.
South Africa aren’t hanging around either. Following the win over Guinea, Bafana Bafana travelled to Cairo to face Eritrea today, Wednesday 30 September, in their second Group D fixture, before a friendly against Egypt is scheduled for 4 October.
What’s next for Guinea
Guinea, meanwhile, head to their own second qualifier, hosting Kenya on 1 October, as they look to bounce back from the narrow defeat in Soweto.
For South Africa fans, the mood is cautiously optimistic. A winning start under a returning manager, several fresh faces getting a taste of senior international football, and a tricky away test against Eritrea to follow — it’s shaping up to be a busy few days for Bafana Bafana as the race for that single Group D qualifying spot gets under way in earnest.
