{
  "id": 10003937,
  "title": "Pitso’s Bafana reign gets off to winning start",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/pitsos-bafana-reign-gets-off-to-winning-start",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T15:01:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/pitso-bafana-reign-gets-off-winning-start/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Bafana beat Guinea 2-1 in the AFCON 2027 Group D opener.",
  "key_points": [
    "Pitso Mosimane begins second tenure as Bafana Bafana coach",
    "Samukele Kabini and Ime Okon score crucial goals in 2-1 win",
    "Guinea nearly equalized but missed late chance"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Samukelo Kabini strikes late as Pitso Mosimane begins second Bafana spell with victory over Guinea",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/samukelo-kabini-strikes-late-as-pitso-mosimane-begins-second-bafana",
        "published": "2026-09-26T15:19:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}