This weekend, South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, will face off against South Sudan in a crucial AFCON 2024 qualifier, with both sides looking to secure vital points as the race for a spot in the tournament intensifies.
Bafana Bafana
Bafana Bafana come into this match with a mix of promising results and missed opportunities in their recent qualifying campaigns. The South Africans have shown flashes of their potential under coach Hugo Broos, especially in the 2-1 win over Liberia in the previous international break. The team’s form, however, has been inconsistent, with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Morocco in their most recent outing, leaving them in a precarious position in Group K. Despite the challenges, South Africa has historically had the upper hand against teams from this region, having been more dominant in previous AFCON qualifying campaigns.
With players like Percy Tau and Themba Zwane offering creative spark and experience, Bafana will rely on their attacking prowess to break down South Sudan’s defense. However, their defensive line, which has at times looked vulnerable, will need to remain resolute, especially against a team that has shown resilience despite limited resources.
South Sudan
South Sudan, though not a traditional powerhouse in African football, has made strides in recent years and should not be underestimated. The Falcons of Jediane are coming off a hard-fought 0-0 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo, a result that highlighted their defensive discipline and ability to disrupt more favored opponents. Historically, South Sudan has struggled in AFCON qualifiers, but under the stewardship of coach Hubert Velud, the team has shown a more organized and compact structure, often relying on counter-attacks and set pieces to pose a threat.
South Sudan’s attack has been inconsistent, but the presence of key players like Awer Mabil and Samir Nur can offer moments of individual brilliance, especially if Bafana Bafana leave spaces open at the back. They will also look to capitalize on any set-piece opportunities, an area where South Africa has sometimes shown vulnerability.
Head-to-Head
The two teams have met on a limited number of occasions, with South Africa traditionally having the upper hand in their encounters. In their previous matchups, Bafana Bafana have not lost to South Sudan, winning comfortably in most instances. However, the most recent encounter—a 1-1 draw in a friendly in 2019—serves as a reminder that South Sudan is capable of producing surprising results, especially when playing on home soil or in neutral venues where they are less expected to dominate.
Possible Outcomes
Given South Africa’s stronger squad depth and historical advantage, they will be the favorites going into the match. A win for Bafana Bafana seems the most likely outcome, but South Sudan’s recent form suggests that they will not go down without a fight. South Africa’s 2-0 victory seems a reasonable expectation, but a narrow 1-0 win is also a realistic scenario, given the potential for South Sudan to frustrate the hosts with their disciplined defense.
On the other hand, should South Sudan manage to absorb the pressure and execute a well-timed counter-attack or set-piece opportunity, a draw, or even an upset, could be within their reach. South Africa will need to stay focused for the full 90 minutes to avoid dropping points in what is shaping up to be a competitive group.
As Bafana Bafana gear up for this important fixture, the pressure is on to secure a win at home and keep their AFCON hopes alive. For South Sudan, this match represents another opportunity to prove they can compete at the highest level, and they will be determined to make life difficult for the South Africans. With both teams possessing distinct strengths and weaknesses, this match promises to be a tense and closely contested encounter.
