Samukelo Kabini strikes late as Pitso Mosimane begins second Bafana spell with victory over Guinea

South Africa 2 (1)  Okon 30’, Kabini 77’

Guinea 1 (0) Cisse 69’

Samukelo Kabini struck late to secure a 2-1 victory for Bafana Bafana over Guinea as Pitso Mosimane began his second spell as head coach with a win at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.

South Africa put their first set of three points on the board to take pole position in their group as the road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) began in positive style. 

Bafana made a lively start and could have taken the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when Relebohile Mofokeng was presented with a glorious opportunity, but he failed to convert.

South Africa continued to dominate possession and created the better chances, eventually getting their reward after 30 minutes.

Germany-based defender Ime Okon broke the deadlock from a set-piece, smashing the ball home from close range after Guinea failed to clear their lines in a crowded penalty area.

⚽️ 𝔸𝔽ℂ𝕆ℕ𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟟 ℚ𝕦𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕗𝕚𝕖𝕣𝕤 ⚽️

🥅 ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Bafana Bafana break the deadlock!

🇿🇦 1⃣➖0⃣ 🇬🇳

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It was the perfect reward for a dominant first-half display from Mosimane’s side, although they could have gone into the interval with a more comfortable advantage.

Guinea, however, returned from the break with greater intent and eventually found an equaliser in the 69th minute.

A free-kick caused problems in the Bafana box before the ball fell kindly for Seydouba Cisse, who made no mistake from close range to bring Guinea level.

Mosimane responded by turning to his bench, and the changes quickly paid dividends.

Substitute Kabini restored Bafana’s advantage in the 77th minute in a moment that sent the Orlando Stadium crowd into raptures.

The left-back bounced a pass off Mbuthuma on the edge of the box before calmly finishing past the Guinea goalkeeper.

⚽️ 𝔸𝔽ℂ𝕆ℕ𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟟 ℚ𝕦𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕗𝕚𝕖𝕣𝕤 ⚽️

🥅 ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Bafana Bafana have regained their advantage!

🇿🇦 2⃣➖1⃣ 🇬🇳

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Guinea pushed for another equaliser in the closing stages, but Bafana held firm to give Mosimane victory in his first competitive match since returning to the national team.

The result gives Mosimane an important start as he begins another chapter with Bafana, while the performance also showed there is still plenty of work to be done despite South Africa controlling large portions of the contest.

For Kabini, however, it was a day to remember as his late intervention, his first international goal, secured all three points and handed Mosimane a winning return.