AFCON 2027 Qualifier: Eritrea vs South Africa Prediction

Pitso Mosimane will look to make it two wins from two since returning as Bafana Bafana head coach when South Africa face Eritrea in their second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: Pitso Mosimane Returns As Bafana Bafana Head Coach.

The Group D encounter will be staged at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, with Eritrea unable to host the fixture at home. South Africa head into the contest top of the group after beginning Mosimane’s new era with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Guinea at Orlando Stadium, while Eritrea produced one of the surprises of the opening round by holding AFCON co-hosts Kenya to a 1-1 draw in Nairobi.

Bafana are overwhelming favourites, but Eritrea’s performance against Kenya should ensure Mosimane’s men take nothing for granted.

Betting Preview

Mosimane got the result he wanted in his first game back in charge of Bafana, although Saturday’s performance also highlighted areas requiring improvement.

After surviving an early Guinea opportunity, South Africa took control of the first half and eventually went ahead through Ime Okon in the 30th minute. Bafana had opportunities to extend their advantage but failed to take them, allowing Guinea to remain within striking distance.

Seydouba Cisse equalised in the 69th minute before Mosimane’s substitutions made the difference. Yanela Mbuthuma released fellow substitute Samukele Kabini, who calmly finished in the 77th minute to secure a 2-1 victory and three important points.

Mosimane will want to see greater ruthlessness on Wednesday.

Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Thapelo Maseko and Iqraam Rayners gave Bafana plenty of attacking threat against Guinea, while Teboho Mokoena remains central to their ability to dictate possession and create opportunities.

Eritrea, however, have already shown that they shouldn’t simply be regarded as Group D whipping boys.

The Red Sea Camels stunned Kenya by taking the lead in Nairobi through Nahom Girmai Netabay and were just minutes away from recording a famous victory before Ryan Ogam equalised in the 87th minute.

Their return to AFCON qualifying has been encouraging. Eritrea reached the group stage by beating Eswatini 4-1 on aggregate in the preliminary round, and the draw in Kenya extended that positive start.

South Africa nevertheless represent a significant step up in quality.

Bafana possess superior depth and considerably more experience at international level, and the neutral venue also removes the difficult away environment that can sometimes complicate African qualifiers.

There is also very little room for South Africa to slip up.

With Kenya automatically qualifying for AFCON 2027 as one of the three co-hosts, only the highest-placed eligible side among South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea will qualify from Group D alongside them. Bafana’s victory over Guinea therefore gave them an excellent start, but maximum points against Eritrea would strengthen their position considerably.

Recent Form & Stats

• South Africa lead Group D with three points after the opening round.
  
• Eritrea have one point, level with Kenya after their 1-1 draw in Nairobi.
  
• South Africa beat Guinea 2-1 in Pitso Mosimane’s first match back in charge.
  
• Ime Okon and Samukele Kabini scored Bafana’s goals against Guinea.
  
• Nahom Girmai Netabay gave Eritrea the lead against Kenya before they conceded an 87th-minute equaliser.
  
• Eritrea qualified for the group stage after a 4-1 aggregate victory over Eswatini in the preliminary round.
  
• Eritrea are playing their nominal home match at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo because they do not currently have a stadium meeting the necessary international requirements.
  
• South Africa and Eritrea have no recent competitive head-to-head meetings to use as a meaningful form guide.
  
• South Africa created numerous opportunities against Guinea but scored only twice, something Mosimane will want his side to improve against Eritrea.

Best Bets & Prediction

Prediction: South Africa to win at 1.23.

Best Bet: South Africa to win to nil at 2.20.

Alternative Bet: South Africa -1.5 handicap at 1.66.