South Africa edge Guinea 2-1 in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener

South Africa began their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Guinea, recovering from S. Cissé’s second-half equaliser before S. Kabini struck the decisive goal in the 77th minute.

South Africa

• R. Williams (6.38)
• K. Sebelebele (6.75)
• I. Okon (7.34)
• O. Makhanya (6.67)
• A. Modiba (6.9)
• S. Sithole (7.7)
• T. Mokoena (6.53)
• T. Maseko (6.15)
• R. Mofokeng (6.52)
• O. Appollis (6.74)
• I. Rayners (6.08)

Guinea

• S. Sylla (0)
• I. Fofana (6.19)
• S. Sow (6.08)
• A. Keita (0)
• S. Sylla (0)
• S. Cissé (7.5)
• L. Kourouma (5.74)
• I. Moriba (6.49)
• A. Balde (6.7)
• S. Guirassy (6.31)
• A. Traoré (5.84)

Substitutions:

South Africa

• A. Modiba (S. Kabini, 57)
• I. Rayners (Y. Mbuthuma, 68)
• O. Appollis (T. Morena, 82)
• R. Mofokeng (B. Aubaas, 82)
• T. Maseko (L. Singh, 82)

Guinea

• L. Kourouma (Ousmane Diabate, 45)
• I. Fofana (I. Diakité, 63)
• I. Moriba (L. Diaby-Fadiga, 63)
• A. Traoré (A. Camara, 75)
• S. Cissé (O. Camara, 85)

Ball possession:

I. Okon gave South Africa the lead after 30 minutes, finishing a first half in which the hosts controlled more of the ball and created the clearer attacking threat.

Passes:

Guinea responded through Cissé in the 69th minute, but their hopes of taking a point were short-lived. Kabini restored South Africa’s advantage eight minutes later to settle an entertaining Match Round 1 contest.

Defense:

The result gives South Africa an important start to their AFCON qualification campaign, while Guinea must recover quickly before their next fixture.

Face-to-face:

South Africa had the better of the opening exchanges and were rewarded when Okon put them ahead in the 30th minute. His goal reflected the home side’s greater control in possession and their ability to move the ball through midfield.

Fouls:

• Yellow cards:
• I. Okon (South Africa) at 44 minute
• T. Maseko (South Africa) at 67 minute
• S. Guirassy (Guinea) at 40 minute

The last five games (including this match):

• South Africa – W
• Guinea – L

Top 5 Africa Cup of Nations – Qualification scorers:

1. A. Tosin (1, Benin)
2. B. Njie (1, Somalia)
3. D. Sosah (1, Lesotho)
4. E. Colley (1, Gambia)
5. A. Hadj-Moussa (1, Algeria)

Line-ups:

Next games:

• South Africa will play with Eritrea. September 30 at 16:00 (GMT), on Al Salam Stadium.
• Guinea will play with Kenya. October 01 at 16:00 (GMT), on Stade 28 Septembre.