South Africa opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Guinea in a competitive Group D encounter at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Ime Okon gave Bafana Bafana the lead before Seydouba Cisse restored Guinea’s parity in the second half of an evenly contested encounter.
Substitute Samukelo Kabini eventually settled the game with a composed finish, handing South Africa three points and a winning start under returning head coach Pitso Mosimane.
Guinea started brightly and created the first clear opportunity in the seventh minute when Aliou Balde raced beyond Aubrey Modiba.
Balde attempted to beat South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams from a tight angle, but Williams made an important save before the rebound was cleared.
South Africa gradually found their rhythm and began controlling possession, putting Guinea under increasing pressure as the first half progressed.
Relebohile Mofokeng came close to breaking the deadlock in the 12th minute after a defensive mistake by Lancinet Kourouma presented him with a clear opening.
However, the South African forward could not convert the opportunity, dragging his low effort wide with goalkeeper Soumaila Sylla exposed.
Bafana Bafana eventually took the lead in the 30th minute following a well-worked corner involving Teboho Mokoena.
Mokoena delivered an in-swinging cross towards the far post after receiving the short corner, but Guinea initially managed to block the first attempt.
Okon reacted quickly to the loose ball and fired the rebound into the net, giving South Africa a 1-0 advantage.
The hosts continued pressing for another goal before the interval, with Modiba, Mokoena, Thapelo Maseko and Mofokeng all testing Guinea’s defence.
Guinea almost equalised shortly before half-time when Serhou Guirassy sent a free-kick narrowly over Williams’ crossbar.
The second half produced fewer clear chances as both sides became more cautious, with neither team able to establish sustained attacking pressure.
Guinea eventually found their equaliser in the 69th minute after Guirassy’s free-kick struck the South African defensive wall.
The ball fell kindly for Cisse, who reacted quickest inside the area and finished from close range to make the score 1-1.
The goal, however, generated some controversy, with replays appearing to raise questions over Cisse’s position when the free-kick was taken.
South Africa responded strongly and restored their advantage just eight minutes later through substitute Kabini.
Mbuthuma produced an excellent touch to release Kabini, who raced into the Guinea penalty area before calmly placing a left-footed finish beyond Sylla.
Guinea pushed forward in search of another equaliser but struggled to create a clear opening as South Africa protected their narrow advantage.
Guirassy came close in the 88th minute after finding space on the edge of the box, but his effort went over and wide of Williams’ goal.
South Africa nearly added a third during stoppage time when Mbuthuma met Mokoena’s cross, although he failed to make sufficient contact with the ball.
The victory gives South Africa three important points from their opening qualifier and provides Mosimane with a successful beginning to his latest spell in charge.
Bafana Bafana will next face Eritrea in Cairo on September 30, while Guinea will look to respond when they host Kenya on October 1.
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