Guinea head coach Paulo Duarte has rated South Africa as one of the best teams in Africa. The praise came after Bafana Bafana opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over his side at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.
Duarte, speaking after the match, was unequivocal in his assessment. "It was a great game, congrats to Bafana and Guinea," he said. "South Africa was strong and dynamic, one of the best teams in Africa alongside Senegal and Morocco." He pointed to the team's tactical discipline and physical power as key factors.
The Sundowns foundation
A major advantage for South Africa, according to Duarte, is the core of players who regularly feature together for Mamelodi Sundowns. He noted that this continuity provides a solid foundation for national team coach Pitso Mosimane, who is in his second stint in charge. The Guinea boss also praised the squad's depth, stating there was no drop in quality even with several key personnel missing from the lineup. This depth is reflected in the team's current squad selection.
"In every sector, they are strong," Duarte elaborated. "They have big, strong, dynamic players, a very good goalkeeper, and depth across the board." Despite the loss, he expressed optimism for his own team's chances in Group D, where only one qualifying spot is available for the 2027 finals. Guinea must now focus on redeeming themselves against Kenya on 1 October.
For South Africa, the positive start to AFCON qualifying comes as they balance another major campaign. The team currently sits second in their World Cup qualifying group with four points from three matches, a position detailed in the latest standings. The squad's recent form across all competitions shows one win, two draws, and two defeats in their last five outings, a run they will aim to improve upon. Their next competitive fixtures will be key to maintaining momentum in both qualifying campaigns.
Background and full detail: Goal.com
