Pitso Mosimane's second stint in charge of Bafana Bafana could not have gotten off to a better start. The seasoned coach guided the national team to a 2-1 victory over Guinea in their opening 2027 AFCON qualifier, played in front of a passionate home crowd at Orlando Amstel Arena. It was the perfect statement result for a coach returning to the international stage after years of success across African club football.
Bafana took the lead in the 30th minute through Ime Okon, who found the back of the net to send the home fans into raptures. Guinea fought back and levelled proceedings, setting up a tense finish, before substitute Samukelo Kabini stepped up in the 77th minute to net the winner, his very first goal at international level. The timing could not have been sweeter, both for Kabini personally and for Mosimane, who needed his changes from the bench to pay off in his first game back in charge.
Mosimane's return to the Bafana Bafana job has been long anticipated, given his track record of success both domestically with Mamelodi Sundowns and on the continental stage with clubs like Al Ahly. Known for his tactical discipline and man-management, "Jingles" will be hoping this opening win sets the tone for a qualifying campaign that South African fans hope ends with a return to the Africa Cup of Nations after some difficult years for the national team.
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Attention now turns to Bafana's next qualifier against Eritrea, a fixture that will take place on more familiar territory for Mosimane in Egypt, where he spent several successful years in club football. With one win already banked and the confidence of a home crowd behind them, Bafana will be looking to build real momentum in the qualifiers and prove that Mosimane's return is exactly what the national team needed.
