Eritrea held Kenya to a 1-1 draw, while South Africa made a positive start under new coach Pitso Mosimane, with a 2-1 victory over Guinea in the AFCON qualifiers.
Samukele Kabini scored the late winner as South Africa beat Guinea in its African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
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South Africa left-back Samukele Kabini scored his first international goal 13 minutes from time to hand South Africa a 2-1 home win over Guinea in its opening Group D match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Soweto on Saturday.
Eritrea held tournament co-host Kenya to a 1-1 draw in Nairobi in the other game in the group as South Africa made a positive start under new coach Pitso Mosimane, who returns for a third spell in charge.
Defender Ime Okon gave the home side the lead on the half-hour mark as he blasted the ball in off the near post, but Guinea equaliseder a free-kick had hit the wall
That would have been a good result for Guinea, but it was undone at the back when Yanela Mbuthuma played in fellow substitute Kabini behind the visitor’s defence and he finished low past the goalkeeper.
With Kenya having qualified as co-hosts for the finals, only one other side will advance from Group D to the 24-team tournament and Guinea appear to be South Africa’s main rivals.
Eritrea took the lead in Kenya Kenya, but the home side equalised through Ryan Ogam three minutes from the end
South Africa next travels to neutral Cairo to face Eritrea on Wednesday, while Guinea hosts Kenya the following day.
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