Pitso’s Bafana reign gets off to winning start
Bafana beat Guinea 2-1 in the AFCON 2027 Group D opener.
Samukele Kabini and Ime Okon stood out as the goal-scoring heroes for Bafana Bafana, as Pitso Mosimane's latest tenure as head coach began with a winning start at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday. In their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifier, Bafana triumphed over Guinea 2-1. Kabini scored the decisive 77th minute winner, having come off the bench.
This goal was a crucial one, given the importance of qualification. Okon also found the net for Bafana, with a low first-half shot. The match started well for Bafana, as they dominated the first half. However, Guinea's Aliou Balde nearly broke their resistance, beating Ronwen Williams and sending a shot that Williams managed to parry away.
Despite this scare, Bafana recovered and their midfield conductor, Mofokeng, played a pivotal role. He had a shot disallowed in the 10th minute, but made up for it with a brilliant flicked pass to Iqraam Rayners, which led to Okon's goal from a rebound. Maseko missed a chance for Guinea in the 37th minute, but the match took a turn in the second half when Bafana's Kabini was brought on as a replacement for Modiba.
He was instrumental in Bafana's second goal, capitalizing on a foul awarded on the edge of the box, and scored the decisive goal in the 77th minute, slotting the ball past Guinea's goalkeeper.
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