Mosimane wants Bafana to stay top of Afcon qualifying Group D
Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane says his side must hold on to top spot in Group D as the Afcon 2027 qualifiers resume against Kenya.
Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane expects a demanding road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), and says his team must stay at the top of their qualifying group until the very end, IOL reported.
South Africa lead Group D after winning their first two matches, against Guinea and Eritrea. They are three points clear of Guinea. Four fixtures remain: two back-to-back games against Kenya this month, an away match against Guinea, and a home game against Eritrea in March.
Why the group is unusual
Kenya will co-host the finals with Uganda and Tanzania, which changes what is at stake in Group D. Only one non-host nation from the group can reach the tournament. That team must either win the group or finish second behind Kenya.
Mosimane knows that being on top makes Bafana the team others want to beat. He cautioned against complacency and said the target is to remain in the same position after matchday six.
“We are there now, so it’s in our hands to stay there,” Mosimane said. He added that there is still a long way to go, with the away game in Guinea and the two Kenya matches still to come.
Kenya not to be underestimated
Mosimane spoke highly of Kenya and praised the work of fellow South African Benni McCarthy. The Kenyans go into Friday’s match at Orlando Amstel Arena as underdogs, but the Bafana coach said that would be a mistake to rely on.
“We’ve got to be very careful,” he warned. He pointed to Kenya’s narrow loss away to a full-strength Guinea side, saying the Kenyans “only lost 1-0” there. In his view, that result is as important as any other statistic.
What this means for fans
For supporters, the key dates are close together. Kenya visit on Friday, followed by a second match against them this month. The trip to Guinea and the home game against Eritrea follow in March.
The qualifying picture is simple. South Africa are in a strong position, but only one non-host side from the group will go through, so every point still matters.
This story is based on reporting by IOL.
