Bafana Bafana face Guinea test as Pitso Mosimane begins new era

Bafana Bafana begin a new era under coach Pitso Mosimane when they face Guinea in their opening Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

South Africa will be looking for a winning start at home to establish an early advantage in Group D, which also includes co-host Kenya and Eritrea.

Here are five facts about Guinea, known as the Syli National, meaning national elephants.

1. No players are based in Guinea

Guinea’s squad contains no locally based footballers. Every member of the team plays abroad, with the squad drawn from clubs in European leagues and Saudi Arabia.

2. Guirassy leads the attack

Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy is the focal point of Guinea’s forward line and arrives in strong scoring form.

He has scored four goals across all competitions this season, with two coming in the Bundesliga and the other two in the Uefa Champions League.

Guinea also have Celta Vigo midfielder Ilaix Moriba and Saidou Sow, a centre-back who plays for French Ligue 2 club Nantes, among their notable players.

3. Guinea have the better head-to-head record

Guinea have proved difficult opponents for South Africa in previous meetings and hold the stronger overall record.

The two nations have faced each other four times. Guinea have won two of those matches, while Bafana Bafana have recorded one victory. The remaining fixture ended in a draw.

4. Bafana are higher in the Fifa rankings

The latest Fifa rankings place Guinea 81st in the world, while South Africa are ranked 54th.

The gap is also reflected in the continental standings. Guinea sit 31st in Africa, compared with Bafana Bafana in 10th place.

5. The Syli National are without a win in four friendlies

Guinea have not won any of their last four friendly matches.

They have suffered defeats by Northern Ireland and Benin, while their other two fixtures ended in draws against Niger and Botswana.

That sequence of results will give South Africa confidence of making a positive start to the qualifying campaign, although Guinea’s stronger record in previous meetings provides a reminder of the challenge awaiting Bafana Bafana at Orlando Stadium.