After an initial 1-1 draw against Algeria in their African Nations Championship opener last week, Bafana Bafana bagged their first win in Group C on Monday night with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Guinea at the Mandela Stadium in Kampala.
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Guinea saw most of the ball during the opening exchanges of the match and immediately put pressure on Bafana Bafana as they probed for an opener. With South Africa sitting back, Molefi Ntseki’s charges waited for the opportunity to strike on the break.
Despite Guinea’s dominance, it was South Africa who broke the deadlock in the 10th minute. After a direct move into the Guinea half, a smart bit of interplay between Thabiso Kutumela and Neo Maema saw the latter guide the ball into the back of the net with a left-footed finish inside the area.
Two in two for Thabiso Kutumela 🤌🇿🇦
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 11, 2025
What a #TotalEnergiesCHAN2024 he's having 💥#SSFootball pic.twitter.com/MWX0eJP3Uy
Guinea cranked up the pressure after conceding and levelled matters in the 37th minute. South Africa were cut wide open on the right-hand side of the pitch after Mohamed Bangoura picked out Moise Camara following a swift one-two passing move toward the box, as the Guinea number 10 guided the ball into the back of the net toward the keeper’s left.
The National Elephants continued to see most of the ball toward the break, while Bafana attempted to make the most out of counterattacking opportunities.
South Africa looked assured on the ball after the restart and re-took the lead in the 53rd minute via an effort by Kutumela. With Bafana finding space on the right flank, Wayde Jooste drove the ball forward and accurately picked out Kutumela inside the area, who slotted the ball home with a well-placed right-footed shot.
Molefi’s men continued to create chances after taking the lead, but were unable to make the most of their chances. Then, as the 80th minute approached, Guinea regained control of the match and piled on the pressure toward the end of the game.
South Africa eventually survived several goal attempts by the opposition attack as the clock ran down with Kutumela’s goal in the 54th minute separating the two sides in Kampala.
South Africa: (1) 2 (Maema 10’, Kutumela 54’)
Guinea: (1) 1 (M.Camara 37’)
South Africa: Xulu, Mngonyama, Masuku (Makarine 71’), Jooste, Ndlondlo (Majadibodu 71’), Khoza, Mashego (Tlolane 71’), Maema (Nkosi 80’), Dolly (Masiya 80’), Kutumela
Guinea: O.Camara, Bangoura, Cisse, Kouyate, M.Camara, Drame, I. Camara, A.B Bangoura, A.Bangoura (Barry 84’), Youla (M. Bangoura 56’), M.Camara (C.B Camara 78’)
