Guinea beaten by World Cup last-16 side South Africa in AFCON 2027 opener

Guinea began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 defeat by South Africa at Johannesburg’s Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

The Syli National were returning to qualifying action determined to make up for missing the 2025 tournament, but faced one of the toughest possible opponents on the opening day.

South Africa, the third-placed team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire two years ago, also reached the last 16 at the 2026 World Cup in the United States at the end of June.

The Bafana Bafana, ranked 50th in the world, took the lead shortly before the half-hour mark when Ime Okon found the net.

Guinea responded after the interval and levelled through Seydouba Cisse in the 69th minute. However, their hopes of taking at least a point ended eight minutes later, when Samukelo Kabini restored South Africa’s advantage.

The result extended Guinea’s poor record in matches where they concede first. According to specialist account Syli National de Guinee FR, the national team have not won a game after falling behind since beating Cote d’Ivoire 3-2 on 10 June 2017.

That victory remains the last occasion on which Guinea overturned an early deficit to claim the points, meaning Paulo Duarte’s team must now recover quickly from their opening setback.

The loss leaves Guinea bottom of Group D without a point. They sit behind South Africa, while Eritrea and Kenya are also ahead of them after drawing 1-1 in the other match played on Saturday.

Saidou Sow and his team-mates will have the chance to respond when they host Kenya on 1 October in the second round of qualifying.

Guinea will need to improve their result in that fixture to avoid falling further behind in the race for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.