South Africa look to Mosimane’s experience in Guinea qualifier

Pitso Mosimane begins his third spell in charge of South Africa, and his second as permanent manager, when the Bafana Bafana host Guinea on Saturday in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly manager returned to the national team following Hugo Broos’ retirement and has been tasked with navigating a difficult Group D. Only one qualifying place is available because Kenya are co-hosts of the 2027 tournament.

Mosimane is also seeking personal redemption. He was in charge when South Africa failed to qualify for 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 continental finals appearances.

The 1996 African champions have not matched that consistency since, but are now attempting to reach a third consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournament for the first time since the 1996, 1998 and 2000 editions.

South Africa’s recent progress owes much to Broos, who guided them to the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time before they lost to co-hosts Canada in the last 16. Mosimane must now try to secure the group’s only qualifying ticket, leaving little room for error against Guinea and the other teams in the section.

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

The Syli National are without a win in four matches and have lost their past two friendlies. They also failed to score in two 1-0 away defeats to DR Congo and Tanzania during the 2025 qualifying campaign.

South Africa’s recent form is draw, draw, defeat, draw, win, defeat. Guinea’s is draw, win, draw, draw, defeat, defeat.

Mosimane has left Lyle Foster out of the squad for the matches against Guinea and Eritrea. Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena and Relebohile Mofokeng are among the established players expected to start, while five newcomers have been included: Lebone Seema, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Yanela Mbuthuma, Puso Dithejane and Tashreeq Matthews. Dithejane offers an additional option in attack.

Expected line-ups

South Africa are expected to line up with Williams; Morena, Okon, Sibisi, Basadien; Mokoena, Sithole; Mofokeng, Zwane, Maseko; Rayners.

Guinea could select Sylla; Konate, Diakhaby, Sow, Keita; Toure, Moriba, Cisse; Sylla, Serhou Guirassy, Diaby-Fadiga.

Serhou Guirassy, 30, will lead Guinea’s attack. Paulo Duarte must also cope with Naby Keita’s decision not to join the squad, alongside the absences of Mohamed Mady Camara, Cheick Oumar Conde, Dembo Sylla, Morgan Guilavogui, Issiaga Sylla and Mohamed Bayo.

Ilaix Moriba returns to the group, while Aboubacar Keita could make his international debut in Johannesburg.

Despite Guirassy’s threat, Guinea’s away difficulties and disrupted preparations leave them vulnerable. South Africa are expected to make home advantage count, with a narrow 2-1 victory predicted.