Bafana Bafana got their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign off to a winning start after beating Guinea 2-1 at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Defender Ime Okon opened the scoring in the 30th minute to send the vociferous home crowd into celebrations. The South Africans created enough opportunities to add more goals but somehow could not deliver that final blow. The visitors eventually capitalised on their hosts’ generosity when Seydouba Cisse levelled matters to bring the West Africans back into the game in the 68th minute.

The Guineans were certainly full value for their money and regularly threatened the hosts, earning Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane’s respect. It was Samukele Kabini who finally delivered the decisive blow when he scored the winner in the 77th minute.

“We have to give respect to Guinea. It will be a very interesting game when they play in Kenya. This is a quality team,” said Mosimane.

Guinea coach Paulo Duarte was gracious in defeat, and he said in his opinion, Bafana Bafana are one of the top three best teams on the continent. He said Mosimane’s charges are strong in all the departments, and it is for this reason that he rates them alongside Morocco and Senegal.

Shortly after the beating Guinea, Bafana Bafana travelled to OR Tambo International Airport to catch a flight to Cairo, Egypt. The South Africa senior men’s national team will face Eritrea in their next qualifier to be played at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. The South Africans will wrap up their assignments on the road with an international friendly match against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on 4 October 2026.