At the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Namboole, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana battled their way to a 2-1 victory over Guinea in a tense CHAN 2024 Group C encounter, a result that puts them level on points with Algeria at the top of the group after two matches.

The match sparked into life almost immediately. In the 5th minute, Guinea’s Youla carried the ball forward and fell in a tussle, appealing for a foul. The referee waved play on, allowing Bangoura to collect and unleash a fierce drive that sailed over the bar ,an early warning for South Africa’s defence.

Five minutes later, the breakthrough came for Bafana Bafana. A long, searching pass was expertly controlled on the chest by Thabiso Kutumela, who calmly laid it into the path of Neo Maema. Positioned on the edge of the area with space to spare, Maema powered his shot into the right corner, leaving the Guinean goalkeeper rooted as South Africa seized a 1-0 lead.

Guinea attempted to respond, dictating possession but struggling to find the final pass. In the 20th minute, Bangoura tried his luck from distance, winning a corner that ultimately came to nothing. The game became cagey, and two quick yellow cards for Mashego and Mngonyama signalled South Africa’s determination to disrupt Guinea’s build-up.

In the 35th minute, Guinea’s persistence paid off. Yorobo burst down the left flank, beating his marker before delivering a pinpoint cross into the box. Moussa Camara timed his run perfectly, steering the ball into the left corner to level the contest at 1-1. The equaliser set up a balanced conclusion to the first half, with both sides seeking control but finding no further breakthrough.

Five minutes into the second half, Bafana Bafana reclaimed their advantage. Wayde Jooste surged down the right wing, cutting the ball low into the danger area where Kutumela arrived unmarked, guiding it into the left corner for 2-1. Guinea replied quickly through Youla, whose thunderous shot from the edge of the area flew over the bar.

The West Africans continued to probe, forcing South Africa onto the back foot. In the 60th minute, Youla was replaced by M Bangoura, who almost made an immediate impact, as Camara’s cross shot drifted narrowly wide. But as the half wore on, the match’s intensity dipped, prompting tactical changes from both benches.By the 80th minute, Guinea were the aggressors, pressing South Africa deep into their half. The closest they came to an equaliser arrived in the 85th minute, when Mohamed Bangoura’s strike from outside the box was deflected onto the crossbar by Xulu. From the rebound, Diabaté’s header flashed just wide, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Tempers flared in the dying minutes, with Kutumela, Drame, and Khoza all going into the referee’s book amid a flurry of fouls and protests. Despite Guinea’s relentless pressure in stoppage time, South Africa’s disciplined defence held firm to secure all three points.

The win moves Bafana Bafana into second place in Group C with four points, equal with leaders Algeria but behind on goal difference. Uganda sit third, Guinea drop to fourth, and Niger remain bottom.

South Africa will next play Niger on 15th August as Guinea takes on Algeria. Both matches at Nelson Mandela stadium Namboole.