Pitso Mosimane began his second spell as Bafana Bafana coach with a victory as South Africa opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Guinea in Group D at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Ime Okon and Samukelo Kabini scored for the hosts, with Seydouba Cisse replying for Syli National.

Guinea started the brighter side and forced Ronwen Williams into a sharp save from Aliou Balde in the seventh minute, but Bafana soon took control. 

Relebohile Mofokeng missed a golden chance in the 12th minute after a defensive error, dragging wide with only Soumaila Sylla to beat.

The breakthrough came on the half-hour when Teboho Mokoena’s in-swinging delivery from a short corner caused chaos and Okon drove home the rebound for 1-0.

South Africa pushed for a second through Aubrey Modiba and Mokoena, while Serhou Guirassy fired a free-kick just over before the break.

Guinea levelled controversially in the 69th minute when Guirassy’s free-kick hit the wall and fell to Cisse to tap in from close range, though replays later suggested it may have been offside.

Bafana responded eight minutes later as substitutes combined. Yanela Mbuthuma teeing up Kabini to sweep home the winner. Guirassy blazed a late chance over as Mosimane’s men held on.

Temba Bavuma and David Miller hit contrasting centuries as South Africa sealed the ODI series against Australia with a 32-run victory in the Pink Day showpiece at the Wanderers on Sunday.

The Proteas posted 365/9 after losing both openers inside seven overs. 

Bavuma steadied the innings with a patient 103 off 116 balls, his sixth ODI century, before David Miller took over. 

Coming in at 93/3, Miller smashed a career-best 142 off just 93 balls with 12 fours and nine sixes, dominating a 156-run fourth-wicket stand with Bavuma.

Marco Jansen chipped in with 19 and brother Duan finished 27 not out as Jack Edwards claimed a maiden five wicket haul with 5/67, while Josh Hazlewood took 3/70. 

Adam Zampa went wicketless for 77 in nine overs, with Nathan Ellis bowling only four overs due to a side strain.

Chasing 366, Australia started fast through Mitch Marsh and Travis Head, who both made 84 and put on 130 without loss. 

Bjorn Fortuin bowled Marsh for while Aiden Markram trapped Head leg before. 

Keshav Maharaj removed Alex Carey (17 off 21) and Matt Renshaw (32 off 34).

Maharaj and Fortuin finished with two wickets each before Marco Jansen’s double in the 47th over closed out Australia for 333.

South Africa will eye a whitewash in Potchefstroom on Wednesday with the action kicking off at 13:30. 

Mikel Oyarzabal was England’s tormentor again as world champions Spain won 3-2 at Wembley in the Uefa Nations League on Saturday to stretch their unbeaten run to 39 matches.

Oyarzabal, who scored the winner in the Euro 2024 final against England, struck 16 minutes from time in a back-and-forth Group A3 clash.

Lamine Yamal gave Spain the lead inside two minutes after intercepting a blind pass from Marc Guehi and firing in. 

England hit back before half-time when Jude Bellingham set up Anthony Gordon to finish, before Nico O’Reilly chipped for Harry Kane to head home.

Kane missed the chance to make it 3-1 ten minutes after the break, slipping and hitting the bar from the penalty spot after Rodri was adjudged to have fouled Bellingham following a VAR review.

England were punished for another error when O’Reilly gave the ball away, Dani Olmo teed up Alex Baena to equalise brilliantly. Baena later combined with Oyarzabal for the dinked winner over James Trafford.

In Prague, 41-year-old Luka Modric showed no signs of slowing down, giving Croatia the lead just after the break in a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic. 

Xavi’s first experience as new Netherlands boss was a positive one, with the Dutch putting Serbia away by two goals to one in Beograd on Sunday. 

Jurgen Klopp’s home debut as Germany boss did not end well, though, with Dimitrios Kourbelis netting the winner for Greece in what was a big win for them. 

By Razeen Gutta

South Africa made a perfect start to their three match ODI series against Australia with a dramatic 67-run win at Kingsmead on Heritage Day.

Matthew Breetzke led the way with a magnificent 112 off 106 balls. It was his second century against Australia and rescued the Proteas from 29/2 to power them to 297/8 after being put in to bat.

After stands with Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton, Breetzke found the ideal partner in Marco Jansen. The pair added 107 in just 81 balls for the sixth wicket, with Jansen smashing 75 off 59 balls including four huge sixes.

Australia looked set to cruise when captain Mitch Marsh blitzed 60 off 36 balls with five fours and six sixes, taking the visitors to 90 in the 10th over.

The turning point came when Keshav Maharaj had Marsh caught by Breetzke. From 129/1, Australia imploded, losing nine wickets for 101 to be bowled out for 230 in 41.2 overs as left-arm spinners Maharaj and Bjorn Fortuin took charge.

Maharaj claimed 4/20 and Fortuin 2/34, with Jansen adding a sensational one-handed diving catch to dismiss Matt Renshaw for 44, as the Proteas completed a remarkable comeback.

The Bullring next awaits with Johannesburg set to host its annual Pink Day showpiece on Sunday.

Pictured above: Mathew Breetzke

Source: @crex.live_