South Africa begin 2027 AFCON qualifiers with victory over Guinea

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Defenders Ime Okon and Samukele Kabini scored their first goals for South Africa in a tense 2-1 win over Guinea on Saturday in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

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Centre-back Okon, who plays for German second-tier club Hannover, hammered a loose ball into the net from close range to give the hosts a 30th-minute lead in Soweto.

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Norway-based full-back Kabini, a second-half substitute for Aubrey Modiba, claimed the 77th-minute match-winner, racing through to beat goalkeeper Soumaila Sylla at his near post.

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Guinea had equalised after 69 minutes when a free kick was not cleared and Seydouba Cisse reacted quickest to fire past captain Ronwen Williams.

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The match marked the start of a second permanent spell in charge of South Africa for Pitso Mosimane, a three-time CAF Champions League-winning coach with Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly.

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He has inherited from retired Belgian tactician Hugo Broos a team good at retaining possession, but lacking clinical finishing.

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Much of the pre-match focus was on Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy, a prolific scorer for Borussia Dortmund, but winger Aliou Balde posed a greater threat with his pace and footwork.

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South Africa were the fifth of 10 African participants at the 2026 World Cup after Algeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast and Morocco to begin AFCON qualifying with a win.

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Egypt, Senegal and Tunisia drew and Cape Verde and Ghana lost.

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Victory lifted South Africa to the top of Group D, ahead of Eritrea and Kenya, who drew 1-1 in Nairobi.

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Nahom Girmai scored for the visitors in the first half and Ryan Ogam levelled on 87 minutes for Kenya, who will co-host the 2027 AFCON with Tanzania and Uganda.

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Automatic qualifiers Kenya are in Group D to gain competitive match practice. Their presence leaves the other three teams competing for one place at the finals.

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AFP

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