BAFANA GROUP D RIVALS WATCH! Guinea Secure Back-to-Back Wins to Turn Up the Pressure on South Africa in AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

Guinea have strengthened their position in the race for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification after recording an important 2-1 victory over Eritrea at the Stade du 28 Septembre in Conakry on Thursday evening.

The Syli National delivered another determined performance in front of their home supporters, collecting maximum points to register consecutive victories in Group D and increase the pressure on group leaders South Africa.

Guinea's latest success represents a significant boost to their qualification ambitions, particularly after beginning their campaign with a 2-1 defeat against Bafana Bafana. Since that setback, the West African nation have responded positively, defeating Kenya 1-0 before overcoming Eritrea to make it two successive victories.

The hosts wasted little time establishing their intentions, with Soumah finding the breakthrough in the 13th minute to put Guinea ahead. The early goal provided the home side with an important advantage and allowed them to approach the remainder of the contest with greater confidence.

Guinea continued applying pressure after the restart and were rewarded in the 53rd minute when Gnagna Barry doubled their advantage. His contribution placed the hosts in a commanding position and left Eritrea facing an uphill battle to recover.

However, Eritrea refused to surrender without a fight. Lundgren pulled one back in the 82nd minute, introducing late tension into the encounter and giving the visitors renewed hope of salvaging something from the contest.

Despite the late response, Guinea held firm during the closing stages to secure all three points and maintain their impressive recent momentum.

The outcome will certainly attract attention in the South African camp, considering the importance of every remaining fixture in Group D.

Before this encounter, South Africa occupied first position with six points from two matches, following victories over Guinea and Eritrea. Guinea entered the match with three points, while Eritrea and Kenya had collected one point each.

Guinea's victory takes their tally to six points from three matches, bringing them level with Bafana Bafana at the summit of the group, although South Africa retain the advantage of having played one match fewer and boast a superior goal difference.

For Pitso Mosimane's men, the message is straightforward: there is little room for complacency.

Bafana Bafana established their authority early in the campaign through a 2-1 victory over Guinea before delivering an emphatic 5-0 demolition of Eritrea. Those results gave South Africa a valuable advantage, particularly in the goal-difference department.

However, Guinea's latest resurgence demonstrates that South Africa's biggest qualification challenge remains firmly alive.

South Africa now turn their attention to their upcoming encounter against Kenya, scheduled for Friday, 13 November 2026. It presents another important opportunity for Mosimane's charges to consolidate their position and restore their advantage at the top.

With Guinea gathering momentum, Bafana must approach their remaining fixtures with maximum concentration, consistency and a winning mentality.

The Group D qualification battle is becoming increasingly competitive, and every point could prove decisive.

For now, Guinea have delivered their statement. The question is whether Bafana Bafana can respond with another commanding performance.

Source https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2120961556192092322?a=uAeBl9yNCSbqLrdkNWk&s=19