Bafana Bafana made a winning start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign after beating Guinea 2-1 at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, giving returning coach Pitso Mosimane three valuable points in his first official match back in charge.
The victory also puts South Africa on the front foot in Group D, with Mosimane’s side showing character to recover after Guinea cancelled out their first-half lead.
Bafana started positively and were rewarded in the 30th minute when Ime Okon opened the scoring.
The Hannover 96 defender found the back of the net with a low shot to give South Africa a 1-0 advantage. It was Okon’s first goal for Bafana Bafana.
South Africa went into the half-time interval leading 1-0 and looked to have done enough to protect their advantage.
Guinea, however, returned for the second half determined to fight their way back into the contest. Their persistence paid off when Seydouba Cissé levelled matters in the 68th minute, bringing the visitors back into the game.
Mosimane’s response was rewarded when substitute Samukelo Kabini restored Bafana’s lead in the 77th minute. The Molde FK defender scored his first goal for the national team to put South Africa 2-1 ahead.
Bafana then defended their advantage through the closing stages to secure a crucial three points and give Mosimane a winning start to his latest spell as national team coach.
The result is particularly important because Group D includes Guinea, Eritrea and Kenya, with the qualification battle continuing over the coming months.
Bafana’s next match
South Africa will not have to wait long for their next competitive assignment.
Bafana Bafana travel to Cairo to face Eritrea on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, in their second Group D AFCON qualifier. The match will be played at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo, with the venue being neutral because of Eritrea’s home-match arrangements.
Four days later, Mosimane’s side will remain in Egypt for an international friendly against Egypt on 4 October.