September 26, 11:00IOL

CANAF 2027 qualification campaign has begun: Bafana Bafana has no backup plan

The Bafana Bafana team is preparing for the first qualifying match for the Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea. This match could play a decisive role in determining the participant for the 2027 tournament, as only one spot is available for qualification in Group D.

The match between Bafana and Guinea will take place on September 26th at 15:00 at the Orlando Amstel Arena stadium. The group format is unusual because Kenya, along with Uganda and Tanzania, is one of the three host countries for CANAF 2027 and has automatically qualified. This means that only the team finishing highest in the group, alongside Kenya, from South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea will advance.

This circumstance significantly increases the importance of Bafana's first match. It is expected that the main confrontation for the single spot in the group will be between South Africa and Guinea, while both teams will view their games against Eritrea as important opportunities to gain points.

Significance of the matches

Direct encounters between Bafana and Guinea take on special importance. If both teams earn the maximum number of points in their two matches against Eritrea, these games effectively cancel each other out in the battle between the two leading contenders. In this case, the outcome of the contest will depend on the results of the matches between South Africa and Guinea.

Thus, Bafana has a chance to establish an early advantage over Guinea at its home ground. A victory will bring three points to the team Pitso Mosimane and simultaneously deprive one of the main rivals of chances to score in the first match. A draw will keep the race open, while a defeat will immediately put Bafana in an unfavorable position in a group where there is no second place to fall back to.

Kenya's results will also matter. Despite the host country being guaranteed a spot in the tournament, they will continue to participate in the qualifying matches, and their results may affect the points and goal difference of the other three teams.

Bafana will start the game against Guinea, and then travel to Egypt to face Eritrea on September 30th. The remaining qualifying matches will take place in November and March during international breaks, giving Mosimane and his players time to recover from any early setbacks. However, the importance of the match against Guinea is hard to ignore.

If Bafana and Guinea meet expectations in the matches against Eritrea, their direct clashes will ultimately determine who goes to East Africa, making Mosimane's first competitive match as a coach much more significant than just another starting qualifying match.

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iol.co.zaSeptember 25, 18:35

Nkosinathi Sibisi ruled out of AFCON qualifier for Bafana Bafana against Guinea due to injury

Bafana Bafana defender Nkosinathi Sibisi will be unable to participate in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Guinea, which is scheduled for Saturday at Orlando Stadium after sustaining an injury during training.

AFCON Qualification

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane confirmed that defender Nkosinathi Sibisi has been excluded from the squad for the 2027 qualifier against Guinea, which will take place at Orlando Stadium. Sibisi was initially included in the thirty-man squad that Mosimane named for his first match back as coach.

Mosimane, who emphasized during a press conference that he plans to rely on the foundation laid by his predecessor Hugo Brues, expected Sibisi to play in defense against the Guinean national team. However, Sibisi's injury weakens Bafana's central defensive line. The team has already lost key players from the World Cup campaign, including Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who also withdrew from the camp due to injury.

Nevertheless, the remaining central defender, Impe Okon, will not be isolated. Mosimane remains confident in the sufficient depth of the team's defense, pointing to promising youth talent, among whom Olwetu Mahanya stands out, demonstrating good form for Rangers.

Mosimane commented on Sibisi's condition, stating: 'He hasn't trained for the last two days. He got injured in training. The doctor says he will miss this match. Injuries are part of professional sport. That's why we recruit many players. You never know what will happen.'

Sibisi is the second Bafana player to be ruled out due to injury since the group camp, following the ankle injury of Lebohanga Maboe, sustained during the first training session. Maboe was replaced by Tshepanga Moremi. It is important for Bafana to demonstrate solid defensive play so as not to start Mosimane's second term with a setback at Orlando Stadium, where strong fan support is expected during the long weekend match.

iol.co.zaSeptember 17, 14:08

Pitso Mosimane announced the first squad of Bafana Bafana for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers

Pitso Mosimane presented his first squad for the Bafana Bafana team after returning to the head coach position. He formed a group of 30 players for the upcoming AFCON 2027 qualifying matches against Guinea and Eritrea.

The Bafana team will begin its latest campaign for points against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on September 26, followed by a match against Eritrea. During the international break, Mosimane's squad will also participate in a friendly match against Egypt.

The squad is a combination of experienced international players, rising talents, and footballers playing for foreign clubs, as Mosimane begins his second tenure leading the national team.

Captain Ronwen Williams leads the goalkeeping quartet, alongside Sipho Chaine from Orlando Pirates and Ricardo Goss from Mamelodi Sundowns. In defense, Sundowns players dominate, including Aubrey Modiba, Fawaaz Basadien, and Thapelo Morena, while Pirates are represented by Kamogelo Sebelebele and Nkosinathi Sibisi.

International players are also noted in defense: Samukele Kabini from Molde, Olwethu Makhanya from Rangers, and Ime Okon from Hannover 96. Furthermore, the midfield includes Tebogo Mokoena, Lebogang Maboe, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas, and Brooklyn Poggenpoel from Durban City.

The attacking line features Iqraam Rayners, Cassius Mailula, and Tashreeq Matthews from Sundowns, as well as Pirates forwards Oswin Appollis and Yanela Mbuthuma. Veteran Themba Zwane was also included in the list, as Mosimane aims to combine experience with young players in his first squad since his return.

Relebohile Mofokeng has returned to the squad, having started his European adventure with Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Other players playing abroad include Puso Dithejane from Chicago Fire, Thapelo Maseko from FC Copenhagen, Luther Singh from AEL Limassol, and Shandre Campbell from KV Kortrijk.

The upcoming matches will allow Mosimane to undergo his first competitive tests since his return, and Bafana aims to start a strong campaign in pursuit of AFCON qualification. The friendly match against Egypt will give the coach another opportunity to assess the squad and begin shaping Bafana's preferred formation.