The Bafana Bafana team began its journey in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers by defeating Guinea at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday afternoon. Despite adopting changes for this new era, the team maintained the core values established over the past years.
Pitso Mosimane, leading his second mission, did not start the match perfectly, although he made a respectable beginning. His team appeared transitional, and both he and the players experienced tense moments. Mosimane remained a reserved figure on the sidelines for most of the time, occasionally checking the situation, applauding the regaining of possession, and welcoming two goals from Ime Okona and Samukele Kabini. He resembled a student and spectator more than a leader.
This freedom sometimes proved to be a double-edged sword for the team. The players seemed uncertain, finding it difficult to play freely as they repeatedly apologized to substitutes for every clumsy tackle attempt or lost ball during the day.
Since Mosimane had only been training the team for a week, it was clear that he had not yet established his philosophy. Players often lost possession, allowing the Guineans to create tense defensive moments. Although Mosimane was pleased with the play and Okona's goal, the central defender was sometimes in the attacking half of the field unusually, often against the flow of the game, which put pressure on his defensive line.
His drive to advance and assist in attack also led him to have to return backward. In one instance, he failed to cope, making a dangerous tackle in front of the goal, which resulted in a free kick and a yellow card.
In the first half of the match, Relebokhile Mofokeng looked flawless, but he lacked support. Oswin Apollos tried to find open spaces but could not break through. Mosimane even noted that Apollos needed to improve his defensive play at certain times, rather than just staying up front.
Kamogelo Sebelebele's uncertainty about whether to push forward or stay back during ball circulation caused problems at the start of the first half, when Guinea disrupted the game and started high pressing, and Aliou Baldé created various problems for him on the flanks.
However, after Guinea equalized, the true Bafana of the last five years emerged. The team demonstrated character and an unyielding determination in the search for the winning goal, and captain Ronwen Williams also called on fans to support the team.
This happened. A player who previously showed uncertainty and was somewhat raw displayed maturity under Mosimane's leadership. Kabini brilliantly capitalized on his substitution, scoring the winning goal and demonstrating impressive returns. He didn't just fit into a struggling defense; the team also found its rhythm. Shpefelo Sithole reminded everyone why he was one of the best midfielders in the team at AFCON 2023 before his progress was halted by injury.
Despite the game not being perfect and having too many controversial moments, which highlights the team's transitional period, some effective qualities of the play were shown, helping the team start the qualification campaign at a high level. The result gives Mosimane and his players a foundation for further work, but the match on Wednesday against Eritrea in Cairo should provide another indication of how quickly the new Bafana can establish its identity.
