Bafana Bafana will begin their quest to collect the maximum six points from Congo Brazzaville on Friday when the two sides clash in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Gqeberha.
South Africa have enjoyed good form and are unbeaten in almost a year since their 2-0 loss to Rwanda in a World Cup qualifier last November and will be hoping to extend that.
However, their last two results have shown that there are still issues to deal with, especially the 2-2 draw with Uganda, when they totally dominated the first half, scored two goals and missed several chances before the Cranes staged a fightback.
The 3-2 win over South Sudan was another example of the things they need to deal with as letting in two goals against one of the minnows is not something Bafana Bafana fans would have expected.
Congo, therefore, will come into the match with hope of springing a surprise having beaten South Sudan 1-0 before losing to Uganda 2-0.
Head-to-head
South Africa have a superior record against the Congolese as in 11 meetings dating back to 1992, they have secured five wins as opposed to the Central African nation’s one, with four matches ending in draws.
The two teams last met in 2014 in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier when South Africa won 2-0 in Brazzaville before a goalless draw in the return leg in Polokwane.
Form guide
South Africa are yet to taste defeat over 90 minutes in 14 games, dating back to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished third.
Bafana Bafana have played four qualifying matches since the tournament, winning two and drawing as many.
They started with a 1-1 draw against Nigeria before beating Zimbabwe 3-1 in the World Cup qualifiers in June and followed it up with the 2-2 draw and 3-2 win over Uganda and South Sudan respectively.
Congo on the other side have just won one of their last four games, the 1-0 win over South Sudan, which had been preceded by a 1-1 draw with Gabon and 6-0 loss to Morocco before the 2-0 defeat away to Uganda.
It leaves South Africa and Uganda top of the group with four points while Congo are third on three, making the next two matches crucial since whoever collects more points will boost their qualification chances.
What have they said?
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is delighted that goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams will be available for the matches after his absence in their last two games was greatly felt as his replacement Veli Mothwa struggled against Uganda.
“I’m happy that Ronwen is back. He’s the one that talks a lot, and hands out advice to the players,” said Broos.
“We saw what happened in his absence, but it will be much better now that he is back. He is a fantastic goalkeeper. Appointing him captain was one of the best decisions I made.
“Look now, Ronwen is a nominee for the Ballon d’Or awards. It’s never happened to an African-born player from an African club before.”
Bafana v Congo Team news
While Broos is happy to have Williams back, he is light in midfield while he will need to form a new central defensive pairing.
Defender Siyabonga Ngezana is out with an injury with Orlando Pirates man Thabiso Sesane replacing him while in midfield, Stellenbosch’s Jayden Adams was dropped for bad behaviour just hours after Thalente Mbatha pulled out due to injury. Sphephelo Sithole is also out with a long-term injury.
Meanwhile, Teboho Mokoena and Khuliso Mudau have not been playing for their club Mamelodi Sundowns and do not have enough minutes in their legs.
Congo on the other side will be without four players in Bryan Passi (one-match suspension), Fred Dembi (Will join the squad in Congo) as well as Antoine Makoumbou and Chandrel Massanga who are both injured.
Time and where to watch
The match will kick off at 19.00 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Friday and will be live on SABC. Tickets for the match can be purchased from Ticketpro outlets and online at R60 for adults and R30 for children under 12 years.
Bafana v Congo Line-ups
Bafana Bafana predicted XI: Williams, Dortley, Sesane, Mudau, Modiba, Mokoena, Le Roux, Zwane, Appollis, Morena, Foster
Congo predicted XI: Pavelh Ndzila, Yhoan Andzouana, Bryan Passi, Ryan Bidounga, Morgan Poaty, Fred Dembi, Merveil Ndockyt, Antoine Makoumbou, Chandrel Massanga, Mons Bassouamina, Silvere Ganvoula
Score prediction
Given the problems within the Congo camp which forced them to arrive late in South Africa, it will likely be defence against attack and South Africa are hot favoutites to win with a slim margin.
Afrik-Foot prediction: Bafana Bafana 2-0 Congo