Big Wednesday. Bafana play in Cairo tonight with top spot in Group D to protect, the Proteas can finish off Australia this afternoon, and the MTN8 final finally has a confirmed home. Here is what you need to know before the first ball and the first whistle.
1. The Big One: Bafana go to Cairo top of the group
Bafana Bafana face Eritrea tonight at 18:00 SAST at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo, in their second AFCON 2027 qualifier. Pitso Mosimane’s side lead Group D after Saturday’s 2-1 win over Guinea at Orlando Stadium, where Ime Okon and Samukele Kabini scored. Eritrea arrive with a point from a 1-1 draw against Kenya in Nairobi, and Mosimane is not taking them lightly: “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.” He is without Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba, both injured against Guinea. Kenya are already through as co-hosts, so Bafana, Guinea and Eritrea are really chasing one ticket, and three more points tonight would be a big step.
2. The Matchday Move: the Proteas chase a clean sweep
The third and final ODI against Australia starts at 13:30 SAST in Potchefstroom, a day-night match. South Africa lead the series 2-0 after winning by 67 runs at Kingsmead and by 32 runs at the Wanderers. With the series won, expect changes: 20-year-old Nqobani Mokoena is in line for a debut, and Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton could return. Australia are short of fast bowler Nathan Ellis (side strain) and Josh Inglis. The weather is the one opponent nobody can pick against, so keep an eye on the sky over the North West.
3. The Talking Point: Durban gets the MTN8 final, again
Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates will meet in the MTN8 final at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, on Saturday 10 October at 18:00. The venue was announced on Monday on SuperSport’s Extra Time. A correction from us: yesterday’s Fluit’s Five said the final had nowhere to play. That was wrong, and we have fixed it. The real debate now is Durban itself. Moses Mabhida has hosted seven of the last ten finals. Is that a fair reward for a stadium that delivers, or a missed chance to take a big cup final to another city?
Orlando Pirates v Mamelodi Sundowns: the rivalry
4. The Stat That Matters: four from four
All four South African sides won in round 1 of the URC. The Stormers beat Connacht 29-15, the Bulls beat Zebre 47-13, the Sharks beat the Ospreys 41-24 and the Lions edged Leinster 27-26. Round 2 is where it gets hard: the Stormers are at Edinburgh on Friday night, the Bulls face Munster in Ireland on Saturday, the Sharks host Leinster and the Lions host the Ospreys. Two of those are away in the northern hemisphere, and that is where perfect starts usually end.
IOL: SA sides bid to keep perfect URC starts rolling
5. The Mzansi Moment: Pitso asks Cairo to back Bafana
Mosimane is back in the city where he won two CAF Champions League titles with Al Ahly, and he has asked Egyptian fans to get behind Bafana tonight. Not many South African coaches could make that call in a North African capital and expect an answer. Bafana then stay in Cairo for a friendly against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday 4 October, so that goodwill may be tested sooner than he would like.
The Citizen: Pitso calls for Egyptian support
Two matches today, one title decider next week. Can Bafana and the Proteas both finish Wednesday with a win? Tell us your calls in the comments.