South Africa opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Guinea in a hard-fought Group D encounter at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.
Goals from Ime Okon and substitute Samukelo Kabini secured the win for Bafana Bafana, while Seydouba Cisse scored Guinea’s only goal.
The victory also marked a winning start to Pitso Mosimane’s second tenure as South Africa’s permanent head coach.
Guinea Start Brightly
Guinea began the match on the front foot and created the first major opportunity in the seventh minute.
Aliou Balde beat Aubrey Modiba for pace before attempting to score from a tight angle, forcing South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams into an important save.
The rebound was subsequently cleared behind for a corner.
South Africa gradually took control of the contest and began to dominate possession and attacking opportunities.
Relebohile Mofokeng came close to opening the scoring in the 12th minute after a defensive mistake by Lancinet Kourouma presented him with a clear opportunity.
However, the South African forward dragged his low effort wide with only goalkeeper Soumaila Sylla to beat.
Ime Okon Gives South Africa the Lead
Bafana Bafana eventually broke the deadlock in the 30th minute.
A short corner was worked to Teboho Mokoena, who delivered an in-swinging cross from the left towards the far post.
After the initial effort was blocked, Ime Okon reacted quickest to fire the rebound into the net and put South Africa 1-0 ahead.
The hosts continued to threaten before half-time, with Aubrey Modiba, Mokoena, Thapelo Maseko and Mofokeng all having opportunities to extend the lead.
Guinea, however, almost levelled just before the interval when Serhou Guirassy sent a free-kick effort narrowly over the crossbar.
Guinea Equalise Through Cisse
The second half was more cautious, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut opportunities.
Guinea eventually found an equaliser in the 69th minute.
Guirassy’s free-kick struck the South African defensive wall and fell into the path of Seydouba Cisse, who reacted quickly to score from close range and make it 1-1.
However, the equaliser was surrounded by controversy, with replays appearing to suggest that Cisse may have been in an offside position when the initial free-kick was taken.
Kabini Restores South Africa’s Lead
South Africa responded strongly and regained the lead eight minutes later.
Substitute Yanela Mbuthuma produced an excellent touch to release fellow substitute Samukelo Kabini, who raced into the Guinea penalty area before calmly finishing with his left foot in the 77th minute.
The goal proved decisive as Bafana Bafana held on for all three points.
Guinea had one final opportunity to draw level in the 88th minute when Guirassy found space on the edge of the box, but his effort flew over and wide of Williams’ goal.
South Africa also came close to scoring a third during stoppage time, but Mbuthuma failed to make clean contact with Mokoena’s cross.
South Africa Next Face Eritrea
The result gives South Africa an important three points at the beginning of their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
Bafana Bafana will return to action on Wednesday, September 30, when they face Eritrea in Cairo.
Guinea, meanwhile, will look to respond when they host Kenya on Thursday, October 1.
