Eritrea v Bafana Bafana kicks off at 18:00 SAST tonight at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo, in the second round of AFCON 2027 qualifying. It is Eritrea’s home game, played in Egypt because Eritrea do not have a CAF-accredited stadium. Pitso Mosimane’s side top Group D after one match, and on paper they are clear favourites. Mosimane is not treating it that way, and he has good reason.
Quick facts
- Match: Eritrea v South Africa, AFCON 2027 qualifier, Group D, matchday 2
- Date: Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Kick-off: 18:00 SAST
- Venue: Al-Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt
- TV: SABC 2 and SuperSport 202
- Streaming: SABC Plus and the DStv app
- Group D after one round: South Africa 3 points, Eritrea 1, Kenya 1, Guinea 0
Where Eritrea v Bafana Bafana fits in Group D
Bafana Bafana opened with a 2-1 win over Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday. Ime Okon put them ahead in the first half, Seydouba Cisse levelled for Guinea after the break, and Samukele Kabini won it in the 75th minute. On the same afternoon Eritrea drew 1-1 with Kenya at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
That leaves South Africa on three points and Eritrea on one. The shape of this group is unusual. Kenya qualify for the finals automatically as co-hosts, alongside Uganda and Tanzania, so the race for a place at the Africa Cup of Nations in June and July 2027 is really between Bafana, Guinea and Eritrea. With so few tickets on offer, a draw tonight would feel like a defeat, and a win would put real distance between South Africa and one of their two direct rivals.
The finals run from 19 June to 17 July 2027 across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. There is a South African thread running through this group too: Kenya are coached by Benni McCarthy, the former Bafana striker, so every Bafana result will be watched closely in Nairobi. For Mosimane, the aim is simple. Bank the points against the sides South Africa are expected to beat, and treat the Guinea return fixture as the decider it is likely to become.
Mosimane’s message: respect Eritrea
This is Mosimane’s second spell in charge of the national team, and Saturday was his first competitive match back. He was pleased with the result, but he wants the same attitude tonight.
“I am happy with the result we got, we got the result, and even the attitude was good,” he told SAFA. “We need to show the same attitude against Eritrea because you can’t give respect to Guinea and not accord the same to an Eritrea side that just claimed a point away from home in Kenya.”
Captain Ronwen Williams said the mood in camp is strong after the opening win. “The spirit and the energy amongst ourselves is always good and we have maintained that,” he said. “The guys have been open to all the changes that the coach has implemented.”
Bafana team news: two Sundowns regulars out
Two Mamelodi Sundowns players miss out. Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba were both hurt against Guinea. Modiba was taken off in the second half, and Mokoena felt discomfort late in the match but stayed on. Scans ruled them both out.
“Aubrey is not available; Teboho is not available,” Mosimane said. “The scans showed that they are injured, and we can’t use them.”
Both players remain with the squad for treatment, but their chances of playing in Sunday’s friendly against Egypt are slim.
That forces changes in two areas:
- Left-back: Kabini, the match-winner on Saturday, is expected to fill the position vacated by Modiba.
- Midfield: Bathusi Aubaas and Sphephelo Sithole look likely to pair up at the base, with Relebohile Mofokeng playing ahead of them.
- Defence: Nkosinathi Sibisi could return after shaking off a knock.
Losing Mokoena matters most. He sets the tempo, wins the ball back and links defence to attack. Without him, the new pairing has to control a match that Eritrea will try to slow down.
Who are Eritrea?
Tonight is the first meeting between the two countries. Eritrea are a side in transition under coach Hesham Yakan, who has rebuilt the squad this year, handing debuts to 14 players based in 13 different countries.
Their main threat is striker Ali Sulieman, a former Golden Boot winner in the Ethiopian Premier League who now plays his club football for Al-Masry in Egypt. He will know conditions in Cairo better than anyone on the pitch. Jamal Ali is doubtful with an injury.
The FIFA rankings put about 130 places between the sides, and GOAL’s preview makes Bafana clear favourites. Kenya found out on Saturday that the gap on paper does not always show on the pitch.
Pitso’s Cairo connection
Mosimane knows this city well. He won two CAF Champions League titles with Al Ahly, and this week he asked Egyptian supporters, including fans of Al Ahly and Zamalek, to come out and back Bafana. If they answer the call, the away side could have more support in the stands than the home side.
The squad stays in Cairo after tonight for a friendly against Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday 4 October, so tonight is the first of two matches in the city in five days.
What to watch for
- How the new midfield settles. Aubaas and Sithole need to win the first battles and give Mofokeng the ball in space.
- Kabini at left-back. He scored the winner on Saturday. Tonight his first job is to defend.
- Patience. Eritrea are likely to sit deep and frustrate. An early goal would change the whole night, and a slow start would give their new-look side belief.
- Sulieman on the break. One chance may be all Eritrea get. Bafana’s centre-backs cannot switch off.
Frequently asked questions
What time is Eritrea v Bafana Bafana?
The match kicks off at 18:00 South African time on Wednesday 30 September 2026. It is an AFCON 2027 qualifier in Group D, the second match of the campaign for both teams. Bafana won their opener against Guinea, while Eritrea drew away to Kenya.
Why is Eritrea’s home game being played in Cairo?
Eritrea do not have a stadium accredited by CAF for international matches, so their home fixture is being played at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt. It means Bafana will not face a hostile home crowd, and Mosimane has asked Egyptian fans to support South Africa on the night.
Where can I watch Eritrea v South Africa?
The match is on SABC 2 and SuperSport 202 in South Africa. It can also be streamed on SABC Plus and the DStv app. Kick-off is at 18:00 SAST, so check your channel a few minutes early for the build-up.
Which Bafana Bafana players are injured for Eritrea?
Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba, both of Mamelodi Sundowns, were injured in the 2-1 win over Guinea and scans ruled them out. Samukele Kabini is expected to play at left-back, with Bathusi Aubaas and Sphephelo Sithole likely to start in midfield.
How do Bafana qualify for AFCON 2027?
Group D contains South Africa, Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea. Kenya qualify automatically as co-hosts with Uganda and Tanzania, which leaves Bafana, Guinea and Eritrea competing for qualification. Every point counts, which is why Mosimane is warning his players to treat Eritrea with the same respect they showed Guinea.
Sources used
- https://www.safa.net/general-news/bafana-aiming-to-keep-momentum-against-eritrea/ (checked 10:40 SAST): kick-off, venue, why Cairo, Mosimane and Williams quotes, Group D points
- https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/bafana-kick-off-2027-afcon-qualifying-campaign-with-victory/ (checked 10:30 SAST): 2-1 v Guinea, scorers, Kenya 1-1 Eritrea
- https://farpost.co.za/2026/09/29/teboho-mokoena-and-modiba-ruled-out-of-bafanas-eritrea-clash/ (checked 10:38 SAST): injuries, Mosimane quote, likely line-up changes, Egypt friendly doubt
- https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/eritrea-vs-south-africa-afcon-qualifier-preview-how-to-watch-bafana-bafana-kick-off-time-venue-squad-news-team-form-and-predictions/blt9e87cc2268643204 (checked 10:40 SAST): TV and streaming, Sibisi, Yakan, 14 debutants from 13 countries, Sulieman, Jamal Ali, first meeting, ranking gap
- https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/bafana-pitso-calls-egyptian-support-eritrea/ (checked 10:45 SAST): appeal to Egyptian fans
- https://www.ewn.co.za/mosimane-s-bafana-era-begins-with-guinea-afcon-qualifier-at-orlando (checked 10:28 SAST): Mosimane’s return as Bafana coach
- fact base v0.2.1: Kenya co-hosts with Uganda and Tanzania, finals dates, Egypt friendly 4 October