South Africa v Guinea preview: Mosimane’s Bafana return begins with Group D showdown in Soweto
Pitso Mosimane's first game back in charge of South Africa is a key AFCON 2027 qualifier against Serhou Guirassy's Guinea at Orlando Stadium.
Pitso Mosimane begins his third spell as South Africa coach against Guinea in Soweto this afternoon, in an AFCON 2027 qualifier that could decide who follows Kenya out of Group D.
Main image: DSN graphic. Photo: Fatemeh Amouzad (Mehr News Agency) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Why this one matters
Group D is small and unforgiving. It contains South Africa, Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea, and Kenya are already through as co-hosts of the 2027 tournament. That leaves South Africa and Guinea fighting for what is expected to be the one remaining qualifying spot, which makes today’s opener close to a six-pointer.
Kenya host Eritrea earlier in the day, and South Africa travel to Eritrea on Wednesday.
| Match | South Africa v Guinea |
| Competition | AFCON 2027 qualifying, Group D, matchday one |
| Kick-off | 3pm SAST / 2pm UK, Saturday 26 September |
| Venue | Orlando Stadium, Soweto |
| South Africa coach | Pitso Mosimane (third spell, first game back) |
| Guinea coach | Paulo Duarte |
| Key man to watch | Serhou Guirassy (Guinea, Borussia Dortmund) |
| South Africa next | Eritrea v South Africa, Wednesday 30 September |
South Africa team news
Mosimane has kept the core of the side that went to the World Cup, including goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena and Themba Zwane, but he has also brought in several uncapped players and recalled Luther Singh and Cassius Mailula.
He has been hit by absences. Orlando Pirates defender Nkosinathi Sibisi, one of the most experienced players in the squad, has been ruled out after picking up a knock in training, and striker Lebo Mothiba has withdrawn, according to South African media. Other reports list Lyle Foster, Khuliso Mudau and Mbekezeli Mbokazi among those unavailable.
Mosimane insists the squad has enough depth to cope, and has stressed that the game will be decided on the pitch rather than by the team sheet.
Guinea: Guirassy the danger
Guinea arrive without several experienced names. Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keïta is not in the squad, and Duarte has also reportedly had to deal with visa problems. Celta Vigo midfielder Ilaix Moriba returns.
The main threat is obvious. Serhou Guirassy has been among the most prolific strikers in Europe with Borussia Dortmund, and Mosimane has already warned his defenders that they must deal with his power in the air. With Sibisi missing, that job becomes harder.
More on DSN: Ghana part ways with Carlos Queiroz after poor AFCON qualifying start, Salah left out of Egypt trip to South Sudan over artificial pitch and Ukraine v Northern Ireland preview: O’Neill’s young side chase top spot ten years on from Lyon.
Our sister site DGBN has also covered the draw for the CAF U-23 AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
DSN verdict
A home crowd in Soweto and a fresh start under a familiar coach should give South Africa energy. But Guinea have the best individual player on the pitch, and anything other than a home win would leave Bafana Bafana chasing from the first week of the campaign.
