Maema And Kutumela Score As Bafana Secures A Win Against Guinea
Bafana Bafana has won their first game of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, beating Guinea 2-1 at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, on Monday.
This victory marked their second game in the tournament, following a 1-1 draw against Algeria on Friday.
The South Africans started strong, creating numerous scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes.
However, former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Thabiso Kutumela took the game by the scruff of the neck. In the 10th minute, captain Neo Maema held off his marker before firing at the bottom corner from his former team-mate.
However, Guinea pulled up their socks after 20 minutes, dominating possession with great passes going forward.
They equalized in the 37th minute through 23-year-old Moussa Camara, who received a fantastic pass from Mohamed Bangoura.
Despite creating many opportunities, neither team managed to score a second goal in the first half.
Bafana came back stronger in the second half, giving Guinea no time to rest at the back. They scored the winning goal through Kutumela in the 18th minute of the second half, placing the ball at the near post after Wayde Jooste delivered a great cross into the 18-yard box.
Coach Molefi Ntseki made three substitutions in the 70th minute, introducing Fortune Makaringe, Tebogo Tlolane, and Kaketso Majadibodu to strengthen his midfield and forward line in search of another goal.
However, these substitutions didn’t have a significant impact on Bafana’s attack, and Guinea took control of the game, creating many scoring opportunities.
Ntseki made another substitution in the 80th minute, introducing Thamsanqa Masiya and Ntandoyenkosi Nkosi.
Despite Guinea’s pressure in the last 10 minutes and additional minutes, Bafana’s defense held strong, and the game ended 2-1 in favor of the South Africans.
With this victory, Bafana Bafana now sits in second position in Group C with four points. However, the standings can change as Uganda faces Niger this evening.
Bafana’s next game will be against Niger at Mandela National Stadium on Friday. Guinea, on the other hand, will face log leaders Algeria in the same venue earlier in the day.
