South Africa opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2‑1 victory over Guinea on Saturday in Soweto, thanks to first‑time scorers centre‑back Ime Okon and full‑back Samukele Kabini.
Okon, who plies his trade with German second‑tier side Hannover, gave the hosts the lead in the 30th minute by hammering a loose ball home from close range. In the second half, Norway‑based Kabini, who came on for Aubrey Modiba, broke away and beat goalkeeper Soumaila Sylla at the near post in the 77th minute to secure the match‑winner.
Guinea pulled level in the 69th minute when a free‑kick was not cleared and Seydouba Cissé reacted quickest, firing the ball past South African captain Ronwen Williams.
The win marks the start of a second permanent spell in charge of the Bafana Bafana for three‑time CAF Champions League‑winning coach Pitso Mosimane. He inherits a side that, under retired Belgian tactician Hugo Broos, was praised for its possession play but criticised for a lack of clinical finishing.
Pre‑match attention had focused on Guinea’s Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, yet winger Aliou Balde was identified as the greater threat due to his pace and footwork. South Africa are the fifth of ten African nations already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, joining Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast and Morocco.
The victory lifts South Africa to the top of Group D, ahead of Eritrea and Kenya, who drew 1‑1 in Nairobi. Kenya, an automatic qualifier as a co‑host of the 2027 AFCON alongside Tanzania and Uganda, remain in the group to gain competitive match practice, leaving the other three teams to contest the remaining spot at the finals.
Other opening‑round results saw Egypt, Senegal and Tunisia each draw, while Cape Verde and Ghana suffered defeats.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
