Pitso Mosimane’s return to the Bafana Bafana hot seat is set to begin in front of a home crowd, with SAFA confirming the venue for his first match in charge.
South Africa will open their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign against Guinea on Saturday, 26 September 2026, with the match scheduled to take place at the iconic Orlando Amstel Arena.
The fixture will officially mark Mosimane’s first game as Bafana head coach since replacing Belgian mentor Hugo Broos.
Mosimane’s Bafana era begins at home
Mosimane has little time to settle into his new role, with a demanding international schedule awaiting him.
His first assignment will be the Guinea qualifier, before Bafana travel to Egypt for another AFCON qualifying encounter against Eritrea on 30 September.
The match against Eritrea will be played at Cairo’s Al-Salam Stadium.
South Africa will then remain in Egypt for an international friendly against the hosts on 4 October, with that encounter scheduled for the Cairo International Stadium.
It promises to be a busy opening period for Mosimane as he begins his second chapter with the national team.
Jordaan calls on Bafana supporters
SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan has urged supporters to turn out in large numbers for Mosimane’s first match.
The association wants the new era to begin with a strong connection between the national team and its supporters, particularly with the Guinea fixture being played on home soil.
“We encourage families and fans to come in their numbers to support the team as we begin this new era under coach Pitso Mosimane,” Jordaan said.
Mosimane has already announced his preliminary squad for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers, with the final selection expected to be confirmed in the days ahead.
South Africa vs Guinea: Ticket information
Bafana supporters can already purchase tickets for the Guinea encounter.
Adult tickets are priced at R100, while children under the age of 12 can attend for R40.
Parents should note that child tickets cannot be purchased independently. At least one adult ticket must be selected before a child ticket can be added.
Hospitality packages are also available for supporters looking for a premium matchday experience.
Bafana hold recent advantage over Guinea
South Africa and Guinea have enjoyed a relatively even history in their notable encounters.
Guinea recorded a 2-0 victory at the 2006 AFCON, while the two nations played to a goalless draw in a friendly in March 2022.
Bafana finally claimed victory in their most recent meeting, defeating Guinea 2-1 at the 2025 CHAN tournament.
That result will give South Africa confidence heading into Mosimane’s first competitive match back in charge.
A new era for Bafana Bafana
With Mosimane back at the helm, expectations will be high.
The coach already has continental success on his CV and will now be tasked with guiding Bafana through another AFCON qualifying campaign while building a team capable of competing at the highest level.
The first test comes against Guinea at home.
Can Pitso Mosimane start his new Bafana Bafana chapter with a victory?
Tell us what you expect from the national team under Mosimane in the comments.
