Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt
- Bafana face Guinea in their first 2027 Afcon qualifier, with Pitso Mosimane warning about striker Serhou Guirassy.
- Mosimane says Sundowns and Pirates players can match Guinea’s overseas-based stars when the teams meet on Saturday.
Pitso Mosimane says Bafana Bafana will respect Guinea’s big-name players but will not fear them.
South Africa host Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday in their first 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifier.
Mosimane singled out Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy as one of Guinea’s biggest threats.
“They have a top striker playing for Borussia Dortmund and scoring goals,” Mosimane said, Sunday World reported.
“We must make sure we deal with his aerial strength.”
Guinea also have players based in Saudi Arabia, Poland and Spain.
But Mosimane said club names will not decide the match.
“It is not about where you play; it is about what happens on the pitch,” he said.
The Bafana coach believes his locally based players can match Guinea’s overseas stars.
“Our Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates boys can show what they can do.”
Mosimane pointed to Sundowns’ recent 2-1 win over Al Ahli Saudi in the Fifa Intercontinental Cup as proof that South African players can compete at a high level.
Bafana have also been boosted by the arrival of several overseas-based players.
Puso Dithejane, Relebohile Mofokeng, Shandre Campbell, Ime Okon and Sphephelo Sithole were all seen training with the squad.
Olwethu Makhanya and Thapelo Maseko are also reported to have joined the camp.
Guinea have already arrived in South Africa and started preparing for the qualifier.
Kick-off at Orlando Stadium is at 3pm on Saturday.
Pictured above: Pitso Mosimane.
Image source: Bafana Bafana/X
