South Africa vs Guinea: Dortmund star among 5 players Bafana must watch

South Africa will kick off their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea on Saturday and the West Africans possess some of the top players on the continent.

Although coach Paulo Duarte will miss some of his experienced stars such as Naby Keita, Mohamed Mady Camara, Cheick Oumar Conde, Dembo Sylla, Morgan Guilavogui and Issiaga Sylla he still named a strong squad to face Bafana Bafana.

Ahead of Saturday’s clash at Orlando Stadium, who among the Syli National is likely to cause Pitso Mosimane’s team problems?

5 Guinea players Bafana must watch

Ilaix Moriba: Midfielder, Celta Vigo

Ilaix Moriba is returning to the Guinea setup and could prove vital in midfield. The Spanish-born star is a physically imposing ball-carrier who can help Guinea progress the ball and connect midfield with attack.

More importantly, he’s coming into the international break having scored in Celta’s 5-0 win over Racing Santander on September 19. He has played in all seven of Celta’s league matches this season, starting six.

Aboubacar Keita: Defender, Kalmar FF

A standout inclusion in the squad is the debut call-up for Aboubacar Keita. The 26-year-old defender, born in New York, began his career in Major League Soccer, winning the MLS Cup with Columbus Crew in 2020 and later playing for Colorado Rapids and St Louis City.

Keita has since moved to Europe, where his strong performances for Swedish club Kalmar FF have caught the eye of Duarte, who is looking to foster greater competition for defensive positions.

Aliou Balde: Forward, St. Gallen

One of the more intriguing names in the squad. Aliou Balde has made an excellent start to life at St. Gallen, scoring three goals and supplying one assist in his first nine Swiss Super League appearances this season. He also scored in St. Gallen’s 3-1 victory over Basel on September 20.

Balde is a direct, mobile attacker who can threaten space rather than simply playing as a conventional target man. That gives Guinea a different dimension in attack.

Serhou Guirassy: Striker, Borussia Dortmund

The obvious headline threat, Serhou Guirassy is a powerful No. 9 who combines aerial ability, penalty-box movement and finishing.

He scored 17 Bundesliga goals in 2025/26, plus four in the Champions League, and has already started 2026/27 with two Bundesliga goals and two assists in four appearances.

South Africa’s centre-backs will have to deal with his physical presence as well as his movement around the box. Pitso Mosimane has specifically highlighted Guirassy’s aerial strength and overall threat.

Morlaye Sylla: Attacking midfielder, Damac

Morlaye Sylla is the orchestra of the Guinea band as he provides another creative option behind the striker.

He has been a regular for Damac since moving to Saudi Arabia, playing 32 league matches in 2025/26, and has already registered an assist in the opening six matches of the current campaign.

Sylla is the sort of player who can make things happen between the lines, particularly if South Africa concentrate too heavily on stopping Guirassy.