Bafana Bafana have made a perfect start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, collecting six points from their opening two Group D matches.
South Africa began with a 2-1 victory over Guinea before producing an emphatic 5-0 win against Eritrea in Cairo.
With four fixtures still to come, Pitso Mosimane’s side now knows the remaining route to the AFCON finals.
Kenya Double-Header Awaits
Bafana Bafana’s next two qualifiers will both be against Kenya during the November 2026 international window.
Matchday 3: South Africa vs Kenya
Window: 9–17 November 2026
Venue: To be confirmed
South Africa will host Kenya before travelling for the reverse fixture later in the same international window.
Matchday 4: Kenya vs South Africa
Window: 9–17 November 2026
Venue: To be confirmed
The back-to-back matches could have a significant bearing on the final Group D standings, although Kenya are already listed as co-hosts of the 2027 tournament.
Guinea Trip Comes Next
Bafana will return to qualifying action in March 2027 for their fifth group match.
Matchday 5: Guinea vs South Africa
Window: 22–30 March 2027
Venue: To be confirmed
South Africa will travel to Guinea for the second meeting between the two sides.
Bafana claimed a 2-1 victory in the opening match between the teams, giving Mosimane’s side an early advantage in the group.
Eritrea Matchday Six Finale
South Africa will conclude their qualifying campaign at home against Eritrea.
Matchday 6: South Africa vs Eritrea
Window: 22–30 March 2027
Venue: To be confirmed
The fixture will be the reverse of their opening meeting, which saw Bafana run out 5-0 winners in Cairo.
Relebohile Mofokeng scored twice in that encounter, while South Africa’s other goals came from Sphephelo Sithole, Iqraam Rayners and Luther Singh.
Current Group D Picture
Bafana currently sit top of Group D with six points from two matches.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 2 | 6 | +6 |
| 2 | Kenya | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | Eritrea | 2 | 1 | -5 |
| 4 | Guinea | 1 | 0 | -1 |
Kenya are co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
South Africa’s qualification route will therefore be determined by the final Group D standings and the applicable qualification rules. The remaining four matches give Bafana plenty of opportunity to build on their perfect start.
For Mosimane and his squad, the immediate focus will be the November double-header against Kenya before the final two qualifiers arrive in March 2027.
