Defenders score first goals as South Africa edge Guinea

JOHANNESBURG: Defenders Ime Okon and Samukele Kabini scored their first goals for South Africa in a tense 2-1 win over Guinea on Saturday in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

Centre-back Okon, who plays for German second-tier club Hannover, hammered a loose ball into the net from close range to give the hosts a 30th-minute lead in Soweto.

Norway-based full-back Kabini, a second-half substitute for Aubrey Modiba, claimed the 77th-minute match-winner, racing through to beat goalkeeper Soumaila Sylla at his near post.

Guinea had equalised after 69 minutes when a free kick was not cleared and Seydouba Cisse reacted quickest to fire past captain Ronwen Williams.

The match marked the start of a second permanent spell in charge of South Africa for Pitso Mosimane, a three-time CAF Champions League-winning coach with Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly.

He has inherited from retired Belgian tactician Hugo Broos a team good at retaining possession, but lacking clinical finishing.

Much of the pre-match focus was on Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy, a prolific scorer for Borussia Dortmund, but winger Aliou Balde posed a greater threat with his pace and footwork.

South Africa were the fifth of 10 African participants at the 2026 World Cup after Algeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast and Morocco to begin AFCON qualifying with a win.

Egypt, Senegal and Tunisia drew and Cape Verde and Ghana lost.

Victory lifted South Africa to the top of Group D, ahead of Eritrea and Kenya, who drew 1-1 in Nairobi.

Nahom Girmai scored for the visitors in the first half and Ryan Ogam levelled on 87 minutes for Kenya, who will co-host the 2027 AFCON with Tanzania and Uganda.

Automatic qualifiers Kenya are in Group D to gain competitive match practice. Their presence leaves the other three teams competing for one place at the finals. — AFP