Bafana Bafana on the verge of booking Morocco Afcon berth

Bafana Bafana are on a mission in Brazzaville, Congo, tonight and that mission is to book their ticket to next year’s African Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Coach Hugo Broos’s South African team need a win to be guaranteed of a top two spot in the Group K qualifiers, which will be enough to see them qualify for the continental showpiece.

But while the form book suggests another easy win for Bafana – who demolished the team they’ll face in Tuesday night’s 6pm clash at the Alphonse Massemba-Debat Stadium – 5-0 at the weekend, there are some elements that are working against them.

2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier

⚽️ Congo Brazzaville 🇨🇬 vs 🇿🇦 South Africa
🗓 15 October 2024
⏰️ 17h00 (local time)
🏟 Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat de Brazzaville pic.twitter.com/RdVXuy4fn0

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 15, 2024

Firstly, they’ll play on a synthetic pitch – similar to the one they played on when they beat South Sudan 3-2.

According to Broos, the quality of the surface will determine the approach SA will take in the game.

Secondly, Bafana will have to make-do without striker Lyle Foster, who was pulled from the squad after suffering an injury in the last outing.

Broos said at the weekend that he backs Iqraam Rayners to step up for the clash.

It is match day in Brazzaville, at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat de Brazzaville at 17h00 (local time).....#BafanaPride#AfconQualifier pic.twitter.com/D4g8Z2l3us

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 15, 2024

Still, the coach reckons Bafana should have enough in their tank to get the three points required and says: “We did the first step to qualify [to beat Congo 5-0 last week].

“So [Tuesday night] is the second, let’s try not to spoil that and have the same performance that we did and come back with another victory and celebrate another qualification for Afcon.”