South Africa kept their TotalEnergies African Nations Championship hopes alive with a vital 2-1 triumph over Guinea at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Monday evening.
Neo Maema’s early strike and Thabiso Kutumela’s second-half winner lifted Bafana Bafana off the bottom of Group C, whilst Guinea’s chances of reaching the knockout stages now hang by a thread following this second consecutive defeat.
Moussa Camara had briefly restored parity for the Syli Nationale in what proved a captivating first period, but South Africa showed the greater composure when it mattered most.
The stakes could hardly have been higher for both nations. South Africa arrived at the bottom of the group following their opening 1-1 stalemate with Algeria, whilst Guinea were licking their wounds after a chastening 3-0 reverse against co-hosts Uganda.
Molefi Ntseki’s charges made their intentions clear from the first whistle, pressing Guinea high up the pitch and looking to capitalise on any defensive uncertainty.
Their early pressure told in the 10th minute when Kutumela’s clever approach play found Maema, who guided a precise left-footed effort into the bottom corner beyond the reach of the Guinea goalkeeper.
It was no more than South Africa deserved after their energetic start, with the goal providing the perfect platform for what they hoped would be a much-needed victory.
Guinea, however, were far from finished. Mohamed Bangoura I carved open the South African rearguard with a perfectly weighted through-ball seven minutes before the interval, allowing Camara to surge clear and slot a low drive past Samukelo Xulu into the far corner.
The equaliser shifted the momentum firmly in Guinea’s favour, and they ended the opening period very much in the ascendancy, testing South Africa’s resolve.
Kwandakwensizwa Mngonyama and Ramahlwe Mphahlele stood firm at the heart of the South African defence, ensuring their side reached the break on level terms despite Guinea’s late first-half dominance.
The second period began with both teams showing renewed urgency, but it was South Africa who found the breakthrough that would prove decisive.
Wayde Jooste’s pinpoint delivery from the right flank nine minutes after the restart picked out Kutumela completely unmarked inside the penalty area, and the striker made no mistake with a composed finish into the bottom right corner.
The goal marked Kutumela’s second of his CHAN career and demonstrated why Ntseki places such faith in the forward’s ability to deliver in crucial moments.
Guinea’s response was immediate and sustained. Coach Lamine Traoré introduced Mohamed Diabate, Cheick Camara and Yakhouba Barry in a desperate bid to salvage something from the contest.
The changes almost paid dividends as Guinea bombarded the South African penalty area during a frantic final half-hour. Xulu was forced into a fine save to deny Diabate’s close-range header with just two minutes remaining, whilst Mohamed Bangoura II’s fierce drive moments later required another smart stop from the South African custodian.
Deep into stoppage time, Cheick Camara rose highest from a corner kick, but his header drifted narrowly over the crossbar as South Africa survived their most anxious moments.
When the final whistle eventually arrived, the celebrations from the Bafana Bafana bench told the story of a side that knew they had taken a massive step towards keeping their tournament dreams alive.
Ntseki’s tactical approach proved vindicated, with his team showing far greater defensive discipline than in their opening fixture whilst remaining dangerous on the counter-attack. The introduction of Tebogo Tlolane and Harold Majadibodu in the closing stages helped shore up South Africa’s defensive structure when Guinea were throwing everything forward.
For Guinea, this result represents a devastating blow to their qualification prospects. With just one point from two matches, they must now win their final group encounter and hope results elsewhere fall kindly if they are to avoid an early exit from the tournament.
The victory moves South Africa to four points and into genuine contention for a place in the last 16, though they remain temporarily behind Algeria in the group standings.
With Uganda and Niger due to meet later on Monday evening, Group C remains delicately poised heading into the final round of fixtures.
