South Africa begin 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying with Guinea test under Pitso Mosimane

Pitso Mosimane returns to lead South Africa for a third spell, and a second as permanent head coach, when the Bafana Bafana face Guinea on Saturday in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly manager was reappointed after Hugo Broos retired. His immediate task is to navigate a difficult Group D in which only one qualifying place is available because Kenya are co-hosts of the 2027 tournament. Under normal circumstances, the group would provide two qualifying places.

Mosimane has travelled widely during his coaching career, but his return also offers an opportunity to repair the disappointment of his first spell in charge. He was in the dugout when South Africa failed to reach the 2012 finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, just two years after the country hosted the 2010 World Cup.

Those failures in 2010 and 2012 ended a run of seven successive appearances at the continental finals. The 1996 African champions have not matched that consistency since, but they are now seeking a third consecutive qualification for the first time since the 1996, 1998 and 2000 editions.

South Africa’s recent progress has largely come under Broos, who took them to the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time in their history before they lost to co-hosts Canada in the round of 32. Mosimane will now attempt to secure the group’s only ticket, with little room for error.

Guinea missed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and have not suffered consecutive absences since 2000 and 2002, the latter following disqualification for political interference. Their preparations for the match at Orlando Stadium have been disrupted by visa problems, while several important players have turned down their call-ups.

The Syli National are winless in their past four matches and have lost their last two friendlies. They also failed to score in two 1-0 away defeats during the 2025 qualifying campaign, against DR Congo and Tanzania.

South Africa’s recent form is N-N-D-N-V-D, compared with Guinea’s N-V-N-N-D-D.

Mosimane has left Lyle Foster out of the squad selected to face Guinea and Eritrea. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, midfielder Teboho Mokoena and forward Relebohile Mofokeng are included and expected to start. Five players could make their first appearances for the national team: Lebone Seema, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Yanela Mbuthuma, Puso Dithejane and Tashreeq Matthews.

Guinea will rely on 30-year-old forward Serhou Guirassy, although Paulo Duarte must also manage Naby Keita’s decision not to join the squad and the absences of Mohamed Mady Camara, Cheick Oumar Conde, Dembo Sylla, Morgan Guilavogui, Issiaga Sylla and Mohamed Bayo. Ilaix Moriba returns, while Aboubacar Keita could win his first international cap in Johannesburg.

South Africa’s probable XI is Williams; Morena, Okon, Sibisi, Basadien; Mokoena, Sithole; Mofokeng, Zwane, Maseko; Rayners.

Guinea’s expected line-up is Sylla; Konate, Diakhaby, Sow, Keita; Toure, Moriba, Cisse; Sylla, Guirassy, Diaby-Fadiga.

Despite Guirassy’s threat, Guinea’s away form and off-field difficulties leave them vulnerable. South Africa are predicted to edge a closely fought match 2-1.