Bafana Bafana Beat Guinea 2-1 to Secure First Win at African Nations Championship

• Bafana Bafana secured a crucial 2-1 win over Guinea at the CHAN tournament in Kampala, moving a step closer to the quarterfinals.
• Neo Maema opened the scoring early before Guinea equalised through Moussa Camara just before half-time.
• Thabiso Kutumela’s second-half goal proved decisive as South Africa held on despite late pressure from the West Africans.

The Group C clash saw Molefi Ntseki’s side survive a nervy finish to claim their first win of the tournament.

Bafana Bafana, who came into the game after a 1-1 draw in their opening match against Algeria, produced a determined performance to secure the victory.

Strong start and resilient defence pay off.

Bafana Bafana began the match with intent, keeping Guinea at bay despite sustained early attacks.

The breakthrough came in the 10th minute when a poorly cleared ball found Thabiso Kutumela, who cleverly set up captain Neo Maema for a clinical finish.

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Guinea responded in the 38th minute after a slick passing move ended with Moussa Camara slotting past goalkeeper Samukelo Xulu.

Both sides missed chances before the break, but South Africa maintained their composure heading into half-time.

Kutumela’s strike seals the win.

Just seven minutes into the second half, Maema’s vision unlocked the defence again, feeding right-back Wayde Jooste, whose low cross was expertly converted by Kutumela to restore the lead.

Maema remained lively and nearly grabbed his second goal, only to be denied by a crucial block. Guinea pushed hard late on, striking the crossbar from a deflected cross and missing a rebound opportunity, but South Africa’s defence held firm to secure all three points.

With this victory, Bafana Bafana sit on four points from two games, while Guinea remain on three from three matches.

Fans react to the win

@Remiazania2:

"The performance was poor of Bafana Bafana even though we won. Tseki should relook at the strategy that he employed coming to the next games. It wasn't the kind of football that we are used to 😕"

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@AJSilverCFC:

"Congratulations, Bafana 💛"

@KM_Khanyee:

"Well-done team 💪🏿💪🏿"

@kalipile1:

"Kutumela is on fire"

@Selaocwe:

"👏🏾👌🏾💯"

@Nmmolefe:

"Well done, boys. On to the next match."

@SiphaSn:

"I remember the days when we used to play very well, but still lost games. I'll take this over that any day. Boys are grinding out results. Well done, Bafana"

@MoyahaKarabo:

"We might have won, but now I understand why those players don't have clubs..."

With four points after two matches, Ntseki's team may need to win one or two of their last games to make it to the last 16.

Bafana will face Niger on Friday before completing their Group C matches by facing the hosts, Uganda, on Monday. Algeria play Niger, who are at the bottom of the log, in another Group C match scheduled for 7 pm this evening.

Benni McCarthy gets emotional after the death of his former teammate

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Briefly News previously reported that Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy was brought to tears while paying tribute to his former FC Porto captain and teammate, Jorge Costa, who passed away on Tuesday due to cardiac arrest.

The two were part of FC Porto’s legendary UEFA Champions League-winning squad of 2004. McCarthy, visibly emotional.

Source: Briefly News