South Africa secured a vital 1-0 victory against Guinea in a high-stakes Group C clash at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024. A first-half goal from Neo Maema was enough to separate the two sides at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, giving Bafana Bafana their first win of the tournament and a much-needed boost to their qualification hopes.
Both teams entered the match under pressure, with South Africa having drawn their opener 1-1 against Algeria and Guinea suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to hosts Uganda. The result leaves South Africa with four points, while Guinea remains on three points.
The match was a tense affair, with South Africa's defense, bolstered by a 1-0 lead, successfully shutting down Guinea's attempts to find an equalizer. Guinea had possession for much of the game, but South Africa's disciplined defending kept them at bay.
South Africa's head coach, Molefi Ntseki, had called the match a "second opportunity" for his squad, and his team delivered. Meanwhile, Guinea's coach, Souleymane Camara, remains confident despite the loss, insisting his team still controls its destiny in the tournament.
The outcome has significantly shaken up Group C, where all four teams (South Africa, Guinea, Uganda, and Algeria) are still in contention for a spot in the knockout rounds. South Africa's victory sets up an exciting final round of group matches where qualification will be on the line.
