Historic Showdown Looms as Bafana Bafana Seek First CHAN Victory

As the African Nations Championship (CHAN) heats up, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana are preparing for a groundbreaking duel. On Monday, they take on Guinea in what will be their first-ever meeting in CHAN history. The stakes are high, with both teams desperate to turn their campaign around and keep their qualification hopes alive.

Molefi Ntseki, the South African coach, has been forthright about the challenge ahead. He knows Guinea pose a real threat—with powerful aerial ability, especially during set-pieces, and sharp players capable of exploiting any defensive lapse. Ntseki emphasized the need for respect, discipline, and strategic balance in both attack and defense.

On the pitch, midfielder Keagan Dolly echoes that sentiment. Confident from their 1–1 draw with Algeria in the opener, the team now views each upcoming match as a final. Dolly insists that sticking to the team’s structure and focusing on performance is key to securing their first win of the tournament.

Guinea’s journey has been rocky. After an initial win over Niger, they succumbed to a devastating 3–0 loss to tournament co-hosts Uganda—marking their heaviest CHAN defeat and ending an eight-match unbeaten streak in open play. Yet coach Souleymane Camara remains undeterred. He thinks Monday’s game is winnable and has rallied his squad with confidence that their objective is still well within reach.

Statistically, both sides show glimpses of promise. Guinea attempted a staggering 384 passes in their match against Uganda, while creative midfielder Aboubacar Bangoura crafted four goal-scoring opportunities. South Africa’s attackook aim sharp too—Thabiso Kutumela scored their only shot on target in their CHAN opener, proving they have the finishing touch when given a chance.

With group standings tight and no room for error, this fixture could be the turning point—or the final nail in the coffin—for either side’s tournament aspirations. Kick-off is set for 17:00 local time at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, and both camps are brimming with resolve.