AFCON
South Africa Drawing Inspiration from Some Away Ties
Perhaps it is a mind game. Timeslive, a South African publication has rolled out five away matches it considers as the best outings of Bafana Bafana,
It considered those matches as capable of inspiring the team in the potentially explosive encounter with Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Uyo on Saturday.
It however considered it as always tough to get a result in Nigeria for any visiting side‚ not least a South African selection that has never won there before. Nigeria will attempt to punctuate the 17-match unbeaten run that Bafana Bafana has been enjoying.
Here are five top class performances in the past that proved South Africa can overcome great odds to produce an unexpectedly positive result:
South Africa v Zimbabwe in Harare‚ July 2000:
The tragic death of spectators trampled as they fled in terror after callous police fired teargas at the stadium exits will always detract from the 2-0 win that South Africa achieved against a powerful Zimbabwe side at the National Sports Stadium in Harare in a 2002 World Cup qualifier.
Delron Buckley’s early goal stunned the home side‚ who had the likes of Peter Ndlovu‚ Benjani Mwarurwari‚ the Mugeyi twins and Kaitano Tembo in their line-up‚ and when they got a second with eight minutes left it proved the superiority of the Bafana side.
Unfortunately‚ the celebrations of the South African players proved provocative and were met by a hail of missiles from the irritated home fans.
Police then responded with teargas which saw the game abandoned but the result later verified by FIFA.
South Africa v Zambia in Lusaka‚ October 2006:
Under caretaker coach Pitso Mosimane‚ keeping the bench warm for Carlos Alberto Parreira‚ South Africa had made a disappointing start to the 2008 Nations Cup qualifiers by drawing 0-0 with Congo at Soccer City.
In their second game away at the Independence Stadium‚ they were given little chance as Zambia had a long-standing unbeaten record at the venue.
But skipper Aaron Mokoena powered home a 28th minute header and South Africa bossed the game to win 1-0 and end Zambia’s proud record.
Mosimane had Gavin Hunt along for the game as an advisor and Parreira came to watch too.
South Africa v Egypt in Cairo‚ June 2011:
This was the botched qualifying campaign for the 2012 finals.
Both Bafana and Egypt were embarrassingly upstaged by minnows Niger and Sierra Leone and Mosimane got the permutations wrong and duffed qualification.
But the games against the Egyptians proved a feather in the cap of the beleaguered coach‚ even if the game at Ellis Park versus the Pharaohs three months earlier was a hair raising affair for Bafana and they were most fortunate to snatch a last minute winner through Katlego Mphela.
But the return in Cairo saw the side superbly organised and defensively sound and to Egypt’s frustration there was no way past the defence of Khune‚ Ngconcga‚ Masilela‚ Sangweni and Gould.
With the draw‚ Egypt were out while South Africa just needed two points from the last two games against Niger and Sierra Leone.
They managed one.
South Africa v Sudan in Khartoum‚ September 2014:
Shakes Mashaba’s first game back was a delight for a small band of traveling fans in searing heat as Sibusiso Vilakazi came off the bench to emerge the hero with two goals in a 3-0 away triumph.
The win began the march to the 2015 Nations Cup finals.
Sudan looked strong in the first half but their defence‚ and goalkeeper in particular‚ went to seed after the break as Vilakazi‚ who replaced ineffective debutant Keegan Dolly‚ reacted quickest to stick away Thulani Hlatshwayo’s header from a corner.
Vilakazi followed it with a brilliant feint and shot to settle the result after an hour. Bongani Ndulula got the third after Thabo Matlaba’s efforts on the left.
South Africa v Nigeria in Uyo‚ November 2014:
Tokelo Rantie was on fire as he squandered an early chance but then broke down the left to score just before half-time and give South Africa an unlikely lead.
Three minutes into the second half it was 2-0 as Rantie out muscled the defence and weaved through for another. The impossible seemed likely!
But Nigeria pulled one back through Sone Aluko‚ then saw Reneilwe Letsholonyane got sent off‚ and right at the end beat a poorly-positioned Darren Keet with a low drive to equalise.
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
JOIN THE SPORTS VILLAGE SQUARE CHANNEL ON:
https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Historic Blow! Fernandez’s 3,000th World Cup Goal Sinks Egypt
The Handwritten Note That Changed My Life: Remembering MKO Abiola, The Patron Saint of Nigerian Sports
FIFA backs referee after Trump criticism
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup6 days ago
What a Load of Rubbish! How Senegal Threw Away a World Cup Dream
- World Cup2 days ago
Bizarre! FIFA makes U-turn to clear Balogun for US v Belgium World Cup clash following call from Trump
- World Cup1 week ago
Beyond the World Cup: A Journalist’s Reflection at Ground Zero
- World Cup5 days ago
Cry for Africa, My Beloved Continent: How four decades of World Cup heartbreak continue to haunt African football
- World Cup6 days ago
Celebrating a Decade of World Cup Coverage: A Tribute to Kunle Solaja
- World Cup4 days ago
Pharaohs End World Cup Knockout Hoodoo, Beat Australia on Penalties to Reach Last 16
- World Cup7 days ago
Mbappe Double Fires France into Last 16 as Sweden Swept Aside
- World Cup1 day ago
Article 27: The Little-Known FIFA Rule Behind Balogun’s World Cup Reprieve