South Africa vs Guinea: Bafana Begin AFCON 2027 Qualifying Campaign
Updated: 24 September 2026
South Africa begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Guinea on Saturday, with Bafana Bafana opening Group D at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.
The fixture carries extra significance because it marks Pitso Mosimane’s return to competitive international football as South Africa head coach. Bafana will be looking to start the qualification campaign strongly at home, while Guinea arrive with Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy among their main attacking threats.
For South African football fans and those following South Africa vs Guinea betting markets, team news, squad availability and the latest form will be important factors to consider before kick-off.
South Africa vs Guinea: Match Details
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Match | South Africa vs Guinea |
| Competition | AFCON 2027 Qualifiers |
| Date | Saturday, 26 September 2026 |
| Venue | Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg |
| South Africa coach | Pitso Mosimane |
| Guinea coach | Paulo Duarte |
| Group | Group D |
SAFA confirmed Orlando Stadium as the venue for Bafana’s opening AFCON 2027 qualifier against Guinea.
Why South Africa vs Guinea Matters
This is not simply another international friendly.
South Africa and Guinea are competing in Group D, alongside Kenya and Eritrea. Kenya are co-hosts of AFCON 2027 and are automatically qualified, meaning the qualification picture in this group has an important additional complication.
CAF says only the highest-placed team other than automatically qualified Kenya will advance from the group, increasing the importance of the early meetings between South Africa and Guinea.
That makes Saturday’s fixture particularly significant for both teams.
A strong opening result would give either side an early advantage before the remaining qualifying fixtures.
Pitso Mosimane Begins a New Bafana Era
Mosimane’s return is one of the biggest storylines surrounding the match.
The coach has selected a 30-man squad for the opening AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, with five players receiving their first senior call-ups: Lebone Seema, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Yanela Mbuthuma, Puso Dithejane and Tashreeq Matthews.
Experienced players remain central to the squad.
Ronwen Williams is expected to continue as the national team’s first-choice goalkeeper, while Teboho Mokoena provides experience in midfield.
The attacking group includes Iqraam Rayners, Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng, Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko and Shandre Campbell, among others.
Mosimane has also made it clear that established names will still have to compete for their positions. Recent comments reported from the coach stressed that previous achievements will not automatically guarantee a starting place.
South Africa Squad News
Bafana’s final squad contains a mixture of established internationals and new faces.
Goalkeepers
- Ronwen Williams
- Sipho Chaine
- Ricardo Goss
Defenders
- Aubrey Modiba
- Samkelo Kabini
- Fawaaz Basadien
- Kamogelo Sebelebele
- Thapelo Morena
- Thabang Matuludi
- Olwethu Makhanya
- Khulumani Ndamane
- Ime Okon
- Lebone Seema
- Nkosinathi Sibisi
Midfielders
- Teboho Mokoena
- Lebohang Maboe
- Sphephelo Sithole
- Bathusi Aubaas
- Brooklyn Poggenpoel
Forwards
- Iqraam Rayners
- Yanela Mbuthuma
- Cassius Mailula
- Oswin Appollis
- Puso Dithejane
- Tashreeq Matthews
- Relebohile Mofokeng
- Themba Zwane
- Thapelo Maseko
- Luther Singh
- Shandre Campbell
CAF confirmed the final 30-man squad ahead of the qualifiers.
Guinea Team News
Guinea have named a 25-man squad for the opening qualifiers against South Africa and Kenya.
The biggest name is Serhou Guirassy, who is expected to lead the attack.
Guinea have also recalled Ilaix Moriba, while defender Aboubacar Keïta has received his first senior international call-up.
However, Guinea will be without several experienced players.
CAF reports that Naby Keïta, Mohamed Mady Camara, Cheick Oumar Condé, Dembo Sylla, Morgan Guilavogui and Issiaga Sylla are among those absent. Mohamed Bayo has also not been included.
That gives Paulo Duarte a squad combining experienced internationals with several younger players.
Serhou Guirassy: The Player South Africa Must Watch
Guirassy is the obvious danger man for Bafana.
The Borussia Dortmund striker has been included in Guinea’s squad and provides the visitors with an established attacking focal point.
South Africa’s defensive organisation will therefore be important.
Bafana will need to limit the service reaching Guirassy while also preventing Guinea’s midfield from finding space between the defensive and midfield lines.
Relebohile Mofokeng Could Be Key for Bafana
South Africa have plenty of attacking options, but Relebohile Mofokeng is one of the players who can provide creativity and unpredictability in the final third.
The youngster is part of Mosimane’s final squad and is expected to be among the attacking options for the opening qualifier.
His ability to carry the ball, combine with teammates and create opportunities could become important against a Guinea side expected to defend in numbers at times.
Possible South Africa Starting XI
A projected XI published ahead of the match has Ronwen Williams, Thapelo Morena, Ime Okon, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Fawaaz Basadien, Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Relebohile Mofokeng, Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko and Iqraam Rayners starting for South Africa.
However, this is a predicted line-up, not an official team sheet.
The confirmed XI will only be known closer to kick-off.
South Africa vs Guinea Betting: What to Watch
For anyone looking at the South Africa vs Guinea betting markets, team information should be considered before selecting a market.
Match result
South Africa have home advantage and will have the support of the Orlando Stadium crowd.
Guinea, meanwhile, have a recognised goalscorer in Guirassy and could pose a threat on the counterattack.
Goals market
The availability of key attackers and the tactical approach of both coaches could influence whether this develops into an open match or a more controlled qualifying fixture.
Both teams to score
This market will depend heavily on whether Guinea can create enough chances away from home and whether Bafana can break down the visitors’ defence.
Player goalscorer markets
Guirassy is naturally one of the players to monitor, while South Africa have several attacking options including Rayners, Mofokeng and Appollis.
Always check confirmed line-ups before placing a wager.
South Africa vs Guinea Form
Recent form provides context but should not be treated as a guarantee of what happens on Saturday.
A preview published on 24 September lists South Africa’s recent sequence across competitions as D-D-L-D-W-L, while Guinea’s is listed as D-W-D-D-L-L.
Guinea have also experienced preparation difficulties, including reported travel-document issues, while several experienced players are absent from the squad.
South Africa vs Guinea Prediction
Rather than treating a prediction as a certainty, the key factors heading into the match are:
South Africa
- Home advantage
- New coach
- Strong squad depth
- Experienced midfield
- Multiple attacking options
Guinea
- Serhou Guirassy
- Ilaix Moriba’s return
- Physical attacking threat
- Several experienced players unavailable
The match therefore presents an interesting contrast between a South African side beginning a new coaching era and a Guinea team looking to take something from Johannesburg.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is South Africa vs Guinea?
South Africa face Guinea on Saturday, 26 September 2026 in the opening round of AFCON 2027 qualifying.
Where is South Africa vs Guinea being played?
The match will be played at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.
Who is coaching South Africa?
Pitso Mosimane is the Bafana Bafana head coach and is beginning his new competitive era with the Guinea qualifier.
Who is Guinea’s biggest attacking threat?
Serhou Guirassy is one of Guinea’s most prominent attacking players and has been included in the squad for the opening qualifiers.
Is South Africa vs Guinea an AFCON qualifier?
Yes. It is part of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
What should bettors check before South Africa vs Guinea?
Check the confirmed starting line-ups, injuries, suspensions, recent form and available betting markets before placing a wager. No single statistic or prediction guarantees a betting result.
Final Word
South Africa vs Guinea has all the ingredients of a major African football fixture: a new Bafana Bafana era, AFCON qualification at stake, a home crowd in Johannesburg and a dangerous Guinea attack led by Serhou Guirassy.
For TopBetZA readers, the most important developments to monitor before kick-off will be the confirmed line-ups, late team news and any changes to player availability.
Bafana’s opening result could also provide an early indication of how the new Mosimane era begins.
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