Bafana Bafana head into Wednesday evening’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Eritrea in Cairo with confidence, momentum and the knowledge that another victory could strengthen their position in a Group D campaign where there is little room for error.
The encounter at the Al-Salam Stadium, scheduled for 18:00 South African time, will be the first senior international meeting between South Africa and Eritrea.
South Africa opened their campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory over Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, giving returning coach Pitso Mosimane three points in his first competitive match back in charge.
Bafana were forced to work for the victory. Ime Okon opened the scoring in the 30th minute before Guinea’s Seydouba Cisse levelled the contest in the second half. South Africa eventually found the decisive goal in the 77th minute when substitute Yanela Mbuthuma created the opening for Samukele Kabini, who calmly finished to secure the win.
The result was particularly valuable given the qualification equation in Group D. Kenya are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON finals as one of the tournament’s co-hosts, meaning South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea are effectively competing for the group’s remaining qualification place.
Eritrea, however, will not arrive in Cairo simply to make up the numbers.
The Red Sea Camels produced one of the opening round’s notable results when they held Kenya to a 1-1 draw in Nairobi. Nahom Girmai Netabay put Eritrea ahead after a strong first-half display, and they appeared set for a famous away victory before Kenya’s Ryan Ogam struck in the 87th minute to rescue a point for Benni McCarthy’s side.
The draw gave Eritrea an important point and demonstrated their ability to frustrate an opponent on its own turf. It also means both sides enter Wednesday’s encounter unbeaten in their opening Group D fixture.
For Bafana, who arrived in Cairo on Sunday, the challenge will be to maintain the intensity and attacking ambition that secured victory against Guinea while being more clinical in front of goal.
Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba are ruled out of the AFCON clash against Eritrea .
The Mamelodi Sundowns duo picked up injuries during last Saturday in Soweto. Their absence leaves Mosimane without two influential players but forces replacements.
For Eritrea, the task is to reproduce the organisation and resilience that kept Kenya at bay for most of their opening match.
Eritrea are officially the home side, but the match is being played in Cairo because the country does not currently have a CAF-approved stadium. That gives the encounter a neutral-ground feel, although Eritrea will hope the familiar Egyptian surroundings work in their favour.
With South Africa currently leading Group D on three points, while Kenya and Eritrea have one point each and Guinea have none, every result could prove significant as the qualifying race develops.
The Group D picture will become even clearer when Guinea host Kenya on Thursday, 1 October.
Bafana will also face Kenya twice in November, with South Africa scheduled to host the Harambee Stars before travelling to Kenya later in the month.
