Bafana Bafana Face Eritrea Test After Winning Start as Mosimane Confirms Double Injury Blow

South Africa will look to strengthen their position at the top of 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying Group D when they face Eritrea in Cairo on Wednesday evening.

The match comes four days after Bafana Bafana opened their campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Guinea at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto. Ime Okon and Samukele Kabini were on target for South Africa, who moved to the top of Group D with the win.

Their next opponents, Eritrea, also made a positive return to competitive continental football. The Red Sea Camels reached the group stage after defeating Eswatini 4–1 on aggregate in the preliminary round, before holding Kenya to a 1–1 draw in their opening Group D fixture on Saturday.

Wednesday’s encounter will be the first official senior international meeting between Eritrea and South Africa.

Bafana Lose Sundowns Duo

Head coach Pitso Mosimane will have to make changes, with Mamelodi Sundowns midfielders Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba ruled out through injury.

Both players started against Guinea but have not trained since arriving in Cairo. Modiba was withdrawn during the second half, while Mokoena experienced discomfort late in the match.

Despite the absences, Bafana will be aiming for another three-point haul as Mosimane begins his latest spell in charge of the national team.

Eritrea, meanwhile, will be seeking to build on their return to international competition by testing themselves against the Group D leaders. Kenya, who are co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON alongside Tanzania and Uganda, are already guaranteed a place at the finals, leaving the remaining Group D sides competing for the available qualifying spot.

The qualifier is scheduled to kick off at 18:00 South African time at Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.

Bafana Bafana Face Eritrea Test After Winning Start as Mosimane Confirms Double Injury Blow (Graphics: SizaNazo365 | Images: SAFA)