{"id":14399,"date":"2026-09-28T09:51:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T06:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/tz\/news\/?p=14399"},"modified":"2026-09-28T12:15:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T09:15:48","slug":"south-africa-2-1-guinea-afcon-qualifiers-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/tz\/news\/south-africa-2-1-guinea-afcon-qualifiers-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa 2-1 Guinea: AFCON Qualifiers 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

South Africa kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign with a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Guinea<\/strong>, as Samukelo Kabini struck the decisive second-half goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ime Okon handed Bafana Bafana the lead after 30 minutes before Guinea responded through Seydouba Cisse in the 69th minute. The visitors’ celebrations were short-lived, however, as substitute Kabini restored South Africa’s advantage eight minutes later to secure all three points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For football fans in Tanzania following the road to AFCON, the contest delivered an entertaining reminder of how competitive African qualification can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Okon Gives South Africa the Breakthrough<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

South Africa made the crucial breakthrough at the half-hour mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ime Okon opened the scoring in the 30th minute<\/strong>, finishing a move involving Yaya Sithole to put Bafana Bafana 1-0 ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guinea’s frustration began to show as Serhou Guirassy was booked for unsportsmanlike conduct in the 40th minute<\/strong>, while goalscorer Okon also entered the referee’s book four minutes later following a foul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite Guinea’s efforts to respond, South Africa protected their advantage and headed into half-time 1-0 up<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Guinea Fight Back After the Break<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Guinea made an immediate tactical adjustment at the start of the second half, introducing Ousmane Diabate for Lancinet Kourouma<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa were then forced into a change of their own in the 57th minute when Samukelo Kabini replaced the injured Aubrey Modiba<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guinea continued reshuffling their side as they searched for an equalizer, and their persistence finally paid off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 69th minute, Seydouba Cisse made it 1-1<\/strong>, wiping out South Africa’s first-half advantage and setting up an intriguing final 20 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kabini Makes an Instant Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rather than allowing Guinea to seize control, South Africa responded decisively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kabini, who had only entered the match 20 minutes earlier, emerged as Bafana Bafana’s match-winner in the 77th minute<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yanela Mbuthuma<\/strong>, himself introduced from the bench in the 68th minute, supplied the assist before Kabini finished to restore the hosts’ advantage at 2-1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It proved an excellent demonstration of South Africa’s strength from the bench, with two substitutes combining for the decisive goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo Courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa Shut the Door<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the lead restored, South Africa made further changes to manage the closing stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thapelo Morena, Bathusi Aubaas and Luther Singh were all introduced in the 82nd minute as Bafana Bafana looked to protect their narrow advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guinea also made a late alteration, replacing goalscorer Cisse with Ousmane Camara, but there would be no second comeback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa held firm to seal a 2-1 victory<\/strong> and begin their AFCON qualifying campaign with three valuable points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa 2-1 Guinea: Key Match Moments<\/h2>\n\n\n\n