Australia hold on to beat South Africa with 11 men in Perth

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Guinea in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match, with defenders Ime Okon and Samukele Kabini scoring their first goals for the nation. Centre-back Okon, playing for German club Hannover, put his team ahead in the 30th minute with a close-range strike. Substitute full-back Kabini, from Norway, sealed the win in the 77th minute with a decisive goal.

Guinea levelled the match through Seydouba Cisse's header just before halftime. This win marked the start of Pitso Mosimane's second permanent spell as South Africa's coach, following his successful tenure with Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly. Mosimane inherited a team skilled in retaining possession but needing more clinical finishing.

Guinea's striker Serhou Guirassy, a prolific scorer for Borussia Dortmund, did not pose as much of a threat as winger Aliou Balde, who was more dynamic with his pace and footwork. South Africa, along with Algeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, and Morocco, qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Group D also includes Eritrea, Kenya, Cape Verde, and Ghana, with Kenya set to co-host the 2027 AFCON alongside Tanzania and Uganda.