South Sudan, South Africa set for key Group K clash

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Sep 09, 2024. 12:00

Group K in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers will feature a key match between South Sudan and South Africa at the Juba Stadium on Tuesday 10 September. Kick-off is at 15:00 CAT.

South Africa got their campaign off to a rocky start with a 2-2 home draw against Uganda at the Orlando Stadium on Friday evening. Bafana Bafana completely dominated the first half and opened the scoring via Lyle Foster, but a failure to convert several other scoring chances cost them dearly, with the Cranes roaring back in the second stanza via two stunning long-range goals.

The hosts looked to be on course for a defeat, but substitute Thalente Mbatha struck a debut goal five minutes into injury time to salvage a draw.

“The point gives us a boost and I think for [the match] against South Sudan we have to review some of the things and try to have a sharper team on the pitch than [against Uganda] because it is not easy,” said coach Hugo Broos.

“The game against Uganda was not simple, they were aggressive, they had players who were running and sometimes we didn’t have an answer on that. I am happy with a draw and I am sure that [against South Sudan] we will have a better South Africa than [against Uganda].”

One of the likely changes for Broos is set to be in the goalkeeper position. In the absence of usual number one and captain Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa was handed the starting role on Friday, but he was at fault for Uganda’s second goal and could well be dropped in favour of either Sipho Chaine or Ricardo Goss.

South Sudan opened their Group K campaign with a narrow 1-0 loss away to Congo in Brazzaville on Thursday, with Chandrel Massanga’s goal proving the difference between the two teams.

The Bright Stars are looking to end a six-game winless run overall, and chase a first competitive win in more than 18 months.

In head-to-head stats, this will be the first meeting of South Sudan (who have only played full senior international football since 2012) and South Africa.