Bafana get benefits for AFCON qualifier

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane will enjoy the benefits of having his first away match of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers being played in familiar territory.

The senior national team will get their qualification campaign off in Group D against Guinea on September 26 at home.

First ever meetings in qualifiers

READ| Dion’s status to ignite transfer options

This will be the first ever AFCON qualification meeting between the two countries. Then four days later, Bafana will travel to Cairo, Egypt where Eritrea will be the hosts.

This will be the first ever meeting between the two countries.

Eritrea is amongst 10 countries to never qualify for the AFCON in a list that includes South Africa’s neighbours Lesotho and Eswatini.

The Eritrea National Football Federation has confirmed that they will host their home game in Cairo because they don’t have CAF approved stadia.

So, Bafana will enjoy better conditions in Cairo compared to Asmara.

Familiar territory for Mosimane

The Cicero Stadium and Denden Stadium both don’t meet the continental mother body’s requirements and so instead of travelling to Asmara, it will be a familiar trip to Cairo for Mosimane.

Mosimane spent almost two years as head coach at Al Ahly and so knows Cairo well.

READ | Downs maintain observation lens on likely CAF opponents

Bafana will also then play Egypt on October 4 in Cairo. That means Bafana will spend a week in the Egypt’s capital city.

The forthcoming FIFA dates will run from September 21 to October 6. 

Related tags

Afcon 2027 qualifiers Bafana Bafana Cairo Eritrea News Pitso Mosimane