Pitso Mosimane’s first Bafana Bafana match set for Soweto

South Africa will begin Pitso Mosimane’s second spell in charge of Bafana Bafana at the newly renamed Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto, with Guinea confirmed as the opponents for the opening match of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has announced that the fixture will take place on Saturday, 26 September 2026.

Mosimane, who was reappointed as South Africa head coach earlier this month, was officially unveiled on 1 September after Belgian manager Hugo Broos stepped down in July. Broos left his post after guiding Bafana Bafana to a historic knockout-stage run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The new manager’s immediate priority is clear: South Africa must secure qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The home match against Guinea will be Mosimane’s first opportunity to begin that task, with the return to Soweto adding a significant backdrop to his opening game in charge.

SAFA also confirmed on Tuesday that Morena Ramoreboli has joined Mosimane’s coaching staff as assistant manager. The appointment gives the new head coach an experienced figure with a strong record in African international football.

Ramoreboli, 45, recently resigned as Botswana national team head coach after leading the Zebras to historic qualification for the upcoming 2025 AFCON. He is also highly regarded in South Africa for guiding a makeshift Bafana Bafana side to the COSAFA Cup title in 2021.

His arrival is intended to support Mosimane as South Africa begin a demanding qualifying programme in a group containing Guinea and Eritrea. With qualification at stake, the national side will have little room for mistakes.

The match against Guinea will be followed by an away fixture against Eritrea only four days later. That game is scheduled for Wednesday, 30 September, meaning Mosimane will face a quick turnaround at the start of his tenure.

South Africa’s campaign therefore opens with two matches in a matter of days, beginning at home in Soweto before the squad travels to Eritrea.

Mosimane’s return has already attracted considerable attention, with the coach taking charge after Broos’ departure and the national team’s progress at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His first assignment will now be to convert that renewed focus into a successful start in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

The fixture against Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena will provide the first competitive test of his latest tenure and the beginning of South Africa’s attempt to reach the continental tournament.