Guinea Coach Reveals What Impressed Him Most About Bafana Bafana

Guinea head coach Paulo Duarte has placed Bafana Bafana alongside Senegal and Morocco among what he described as the best teams in Africa following South Africa’s 2-1 victory over Guinea in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

South Africa secured all three points at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, with Ime Okon and Samukelo Kabini scoring for Pitso Mosimane’s side. Guinea pulled one goal back through Seydouba Cisse, but Bafana held on for the victory.

Despite suffering defeat, Duarte was impressed by the quality he saw from the South African team.

“South Africa was strong and dynamic, one of the best teams in Africa alongside Senegal and Morocco,” Duarte said after the match.

The Portuguese coach went further in his assessment, highlighting the strength of Bafana across the pitch.

“South Africa is one of the best teams in Africa,” he said.

“In every sector they are strong. There were three players who didn’t play today, one who unfortunately passed away, Mbokazi not around and Foster. For me South Africa is good in every department, very good goalkeeper.”

Duarte also pointed to the familiarity within the South African squad as one of the factors that made Bafana difficult to overcome.

A significant number of the players have spent years together at Mamelodi Sundowns, giving them an understanding that comes from regularly playing alongside one another.

“They have been playing together a long time, and mine is a new team,” Duarte explained.

The result gave Mosimane a winning start after his return as Bafana coach. South Africa will now travel to Cairo to face Eritrea in their next Group D fixture.

Eritrea began the qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw against Kenya, meaning Bafana currently have three points from their opening match.

For Duarte, however, Guinea’s defeat did not change his assessment of his own squad. He said the team has a mixture of youth and experience and expressed optimism about what they can achieve as the qualifying campaign continues.

The praise from the Guinea coach adds another perspective to Bafana’s new era under Mosimane, with South Africa now tasked with building on the opening victory and maintaining its qualification momentum.

Source: https://x.com/idiskitimes/status/2103900214822080536?s=46