Daniel Matthews
Updated on: October 9, 2024 2:32 pm GMT
South Sudan and South Africa Set to Clash in Crucial AFCON Qualifier
South Sudan will host South Africa in a pivotal 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Tuesday at Juba National Stadium, with both teams eager to secure their first victory in the group. Following disappointing performances in their opening matches, this encounter is vital for each side’s aspirations of advancing to the tournament.
Recent Performances and Background
Neither South Sudan nor South Africa has had a promising start to the qualifying campaign. South Africa fought hard for a 2-2 draw against Uganda, showcasing their resilience despite being on the brink of defeat. The South African team, coached by Hugo Broos, was able to level the match in the dying moments thanks to a late equalizer from Thalente Mbatha. However, this performance raised concerns, especially considering expectations for the former champions to dominate their qualifying group.
On the other hand, South Sudan has struggled mightily, suffering a narrow defeat to the Republic of Congo, which extended their winless streak to five matches this year. With only one victory in their last twelve outings, the Bright Stars are desperate to turn their fortunes around as they have historically finished at the bottom of their qualifying groups in recent editions of AFCON.
Key Players to Watch
For South Africa, one player to keep an eye on is Lyle Foster. The Burnley forward has been in fine form, having scored in consecutive matches and is expected to lead the attack. Midfielder Thalente Mbatha will also play a critical role following his impressive debut. In goal, Veli Mothwa is likely to continue filling in for the unavailable Ronwen Williams after an underwhelming performance in the draw against Uganda.
South Sudan’s performance will hinge on Joseph Dhata, though his participation is uncertain due to injury. Should he not recover in time, Atendele Mawa may take his place in the lineup. The hosts will need a strong performance from their forwards, particularly with a lack of goals being a significant concern in their recent fixtures.
Coaches’ Insights
Broos anticipates a challenging match due to South Sudan’s aggressive style of play and the difficult conditions expected with the synthetic pitch. He emphasized the need for his team to remain focused and adapt quickly. “We know that South Sudan are an aggressive team, and I don’t mean in a negative manner, and they are very dedicated,” Broos stated. His assistant, Oswin Appollis, echoed this sentiment, noting the difficulty of the match while highlighting their preparation.
Predictions and Expectations
Given South Sudan’s struggles and South Africa’s stronger pedigree, many analysts expect the Bafana Bafana to secure a victory. Nonetheless, if South Sudan can harness the support of their home crowd in Juba, they might just have the edge needed for an upset. With both teams seeking their first win of the qualifiers, anticipation is building for what promises to be an exciting match.
Kickoff is set for 3:00 PM local time, and fans will be keen to see if South Africa can deliver on their expectations or if South Sudan can rise to the occasion and claim a crucial victory.
If you want to learn more about possible scores and match stats, there are extra resources you can check out. This is an important game in the AFCON qualifying, so make sure to pay attention!
