Bafana Bafana v Guinea: AFCON 2027 Qualifier Preview

Update: the match is over. Read our Bafana Bafana 2-1 Guinea match report for the goals, statistics and what comes next.

Bafana Bafana v Guinea opens South Africa’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on Saturday, 26 September 2026. Kick-off at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg is 15:00 SAST. It is also the first match in charge for Pitso Mosimane, so the occasion carries extra weight. This is a preview, written before kick-off.

When and where is Bafana Bafana v Guinea?

The match is at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, 26 September 2026, with kick-off at 15:00 SAST. It is the first group match of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers for both sides, according to SAFA and our fixture data.

South Africa, Guinea, Eritrea and Kenya share the same qualifying group. Meanwhile, Kenya host Eritrea on the same day, so the table will shape up quickly. You can follow every Bafana date on our Bafana Bafana fixtures and results page.

Why is this Bafana Bafana v Guinea game a new beginning?

It is Mosimane’s first match since he took over from Belgian coach Hugo Broos. SAFA’s 8 September announcement said he had taken over a few days earlier. As a result, supporters will watch closely for any change in shape or selection.

Mosimane first named a preliminary squad of 35 players. Then he cut it to 30 on 17 September, citing form, experience, availability and injuries. Bafana assembled on Sunday, 20 September. For the full list, see our South Africa national soccer team players page, and read our Mosimane Bafana squad report for the announcement itself.

SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan said fans should come in numbers “as we begin this new era”. Therefore, a strong atmosphere at Orlando Stadium is expected.

What is the recent form of both teams?

South Africa played at the 2026 World Cup. Our match data shows a 0-2 loss to Mexico, a 1-1 draw with Czechia, a 1-0 win over South Korea and a 0-1 loss to Canada. However, this is a new coach and a new campaign, so those results only tell part of the story.

Guinea’s recent results include a 2-2 draw with Togo, a 0-1 loss to Benin in March and a 0-1 loss to Northern Ireland on 4 June. In addition, the two sides last met in the African Nations Championship on 11 August 2025, when South Africa won 2-1.

How does the AFCON 2027 qualifying group work?

Only the highest-placed team other than Kenya will join Kenya at the finals from Group D. Group D has four teams: South Africa, Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea. Kenya are co-hosts, so they have already qualified, according to CAF’s group preview. In effect, Bafana and Guinea are competing for one place.

Across Africa, 48 teams play in 12 groups of four, and 24 teams are expected at the finals, based on CAF’s qualification guide. The six matchdays fall in three windows: 21 September to 6 October 2026, 9 to 17 November 2026 and 22 to 30 March 2027. Therefore, dropped points on the opening day are hard to recover.

What does the head-to-head say?

South Africa have not lost to Guinea in the two meetings in our data. Bafana won 2-1 in the African Nations Championship on 11 August 2025. Before that, the sides drew 0-0 in a friendly on 25 March 2022. However, both games are a few years old, so they say little about a new coach’s team.

How have both teams performed in their last six games?

South Africa have won one, drawn three and lost two of their last six matches, scoring 3 and conceding 5. Those games were 0-0 with Nicaragua and 1-1 in Jamaica in warm-ups, then four World Cup matches: a 0-2 loss to Mexico, a 1-1 draw with Czechia, a 1-0 win over South Korea and a 0-1 loss to Canada.

Guinea have also won one, drawn three and lost two of their last six, scoring 7 and conceding 7. They drew 2-2 with Botswana in World Cup qualifying in October 2025, beat Liberia 2-0 and drew 1-1 with Niger in November friendlies. Then they drew 2-2 with Togo and lost 0-1 to Benin in March, and lost 0-1 to Northern Ireland on 4 June.

In addition, CAF’s preview says Guinea will rely on Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy. Meanwhile, Bafana keep World Cup players such as Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena and include five uncapped players.

What comes after Guinea for Bafana Bafana?

Next, Bafana face Eritrea at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. After that, they play an international friendly against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on 4 October. We break down the run in our AFCON 2027 qualifiers schedule.

The finals themselves, called Pamoja 2027, take place from 19 June to 17 July 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Consequently, every qualifying point matters from day one. Our national team standings page tracks the wider picture.

How much are tickets for Bafana Bafana v Guinea?

Adult tickets cost R100 and tickets for children under 12 cost R40, per SAFA. However, a child’s ticket cannot be bought alone. Buyers must select at least one adult ticket first.

Frequently asked questions

What time is Bafana Bafana v Guinea?

Kick-off is 15:00 SAST on Saturday, 26 September 2026 at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.

Who is coaching Bafana Bafana against Guinea?

Pitso Mosimane. It is his first match in charge after taking over from Hugo Broos.

Where do Bafana play after Guinea?

They face Eritrea in Cairo on 30 September 2026, then play a friendly against Egypt on 4 October 2026.