Bafana Bafana 2-1 Guinea: AFCON Qualifier Report

Bafana Bafana 2-1 Guinea was the result at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, 26 September 2026, as Pitso Mosimane won his first match in charge of South Africa. Bafana went ahead through Ime Okon, conceded to Seydouba Cisse, and then found the winner through substitute Samukele Kabini. The result opens the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign with three points.

What was the result of Bafana Bafana 2-1 Guinea?

South Africa beat Guinea 2-1 at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, leading 1-0 at half-time. The match was the first group game of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers for both sides, and it was Mosimane’s first as Bafana coach, as we set out in our Bafana Bafana v Guinea preview.

Okon opened the scoring in the 30th minute after a pass from Sphephelo Sithole. Guinea drew level in the 69th minute through Cisse. However, Bafana responded within eight minutes, and Kabini scored in the 77th minute from a pass by Yanela Mbuthuma. Both men had come off the bench.

How did the match unfold?

South Africa controlled most of the play, went ahead just before the half-hour and won it late through two substitutes. The first half belonged to Bafana, and Okon’s goal in the 30th minute gave them a deserved lead. Guirassy was booked for Guinea in the 40th minute, and Okon picked up a yellow card himself four minutes before the break.

Guinea changed personnel at the interval, with Ousmane Diabate replacing Lass Kourouma. In the second half, Mosimane made his first change in the 57th minute, bringing on Kabini for Aubrey Modiba. Then Guinea made a double change in the 63rd minute, and they equalised six minutes later. As a result, the game was level for eight minutes before Mbuthuma, who had replaced Iqraam Rayners in the 68th minute, set up Kabini for the winner.

Afterwards, Mosimane used the remaining three changes in the 82nd minute, bringing on Thapelo Morena, Bathusi Aubaas and Luther Singh. Thapelo Maseko, booked in the 67th minute, was among those replaced. Guinea then shuffled their attack again, but Bafana held on.

What did the match statistics show?

South Africa had 22 shots to Guinea’s 11 and 56% of the possession, so the scoreline reflects a clear edge. Five of Bafana’s efforts were on target, compared with two for Guinea, and 15 of the 22 shots came from inside the box.

In addition, South Africa completed 378 of 432 passes, about 87%, while Guinea completed 290 of 341, about 85%. Corners were close, at five to four, and the fouls count was 18 for South Africa and 17 for Guinea. Guinea’s goalkeeper made three saves, whereas Bafana’s goalkeeper made one. Therefore, the winning margin could have been larger, and the numbers back up the view that Bafana were the better side. We use API-Football for these match figures.

Who started for South Africa and Guinea?

Mosimane picked a 4-2-3-1, and Paulo Duarte’s Guinea lined up in a 4-3-3. South Africa started with Williams in goal, a back four of Sebelebele, Okon, Makhanya and Modiba, and Sithole and Mokoena in midfield. Maseko, Mofokeng and Appollis supported Rayners up front.

Guinea’s side included Serhou Guirassy and Abdoul Karim Traore in attack, with Ilaix Moriba and Seydouba Cisse in midfield. Consequently, the visitors had threats of their own, but they created less than Bafana over the 90 minutes.

Where do South Africa stand in the AFCON 2027 qualifying group?

South Africa lead the group on three points after one match, ahead of Kenya and Eritrea on one point each and Guinea on none. Kenya and Eritrea drew 1-1 in the other group game on the same day.

Qualification works differently for this group because Kenya are co-hosts of the tournament, so the highest-placed team other than Kenya goes through. You can read the details in our AFCON 2027 qualifiers schedule, on CAF’s website, and on our live South Africa national soccer team standings page.

What is next for Bafana Bafana?

Bafana Bafana play Eritrea next, on 30 September 2026 at the Al Salam Stadium. Our fixture data lists a 16:00 UTC kick-off, which is 18:00 SAST. After that, South Africa face Egypt in a friendly on 4 October, and then Kenya at home on 11 November and away on 15 November.

For every date, use our Bafana Bafana fixtures and results page. In addition, the latest squad is on the South Africa national soccer team players page, and the squad announcement is in our Mosimane Bafana squad report.

Frequently asked questions

Who scored in Bafana Bafana 2-1 Guinea?

Ime Okon scored in the 30th minute and substitute Samukele Kabini scored the winner in the 77th minute for South Africa, while Seydouba Cisse equalised for Guinea in the 69th minute.

Where is South Africa in the AFCON 2027 qualifying group?

South Africa lead their group on three points after one match, ahead of Kenya and Eritrea on one point each and Guinea on none.

When is the next Bafana Bafana match?

Bafana Bafana play Eritrea in their next AFCON 2027 qualifier on 30 September 2026 at the Al Salam Stadium, then face Egypt in a friendly on 4 October.