Bafana vs Eritrea: 5 players to watch, including Pirates star and a teen sensation

South Africa will be looking for a second straight win in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers when they face off with Eritrea in Cairo on Wednesday and there are players who will be key.

Following their 2-1 win over Guinea last Saturday, Bafana Bafana can maintain their lead with maximum points against the lowest ranked team in Group D.

However, it will not be easy given Eritrea nearly stunned Kenya in Nairobi on Saturday, before Benni McCarthy’s team scored late to draw 1-1.

Given the huge gulf in clash between South Africa and Eritrea, it will be very much defence against attack as the Red Sea Camels will likely stay solid at the back with the hope of scoring on the counterattack while Bafana Bafana impose themselves on the game.

Here are the players who will likely make a difference for both sides.

Bafana Bafana vs Eritrea: 5 players to watch

South Africa

Kamogelo Sebelebele

The Orlando Pirates right-back was named Man of the Match on Saturday after a solid performance that saw him create dangerous situations upfront while he was solid at the back.

Given South Africa will attack more than defend, Sebelebele’s forward runs will add another threat to the frontline while his crossing and ability to score from tight spaces will come in handy.  

Teboho Mokoena

The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder impressed again on Saturday but while he did more defensive duties against Guinea, he could be more offensive as he will have the license to go forward and link up with the attack.

With Eritrea set to ‘park the bus,’ Mokoena’s knack for scoring spectacular long-range strikes and ability to find the back of the net from freekicks could be South Africa’s secret weapon.

Relebohile Mofokeng

The Royale Union Saint-Gilloise playmaker did not have a great game on Saturday and wasted a glorious opportunity when he latched onto a loose ball but fired wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

However, a game like this, where the defence will sit back favours him as his trickery, ability to beat his markers one-on-one and operate in very tight spaces will come in handy.

Mofokeng is also adept at scoring goals and this could be the game where he scores his debut Bafana goal.

Eritrea

Nahom Girmai

The 32-year-old midfielder is one of the most experienced in the Eritrean team and showed it against Kenya in Nairobi last Saturday.

While he plays in central midfield, he has the license to roam and that is how he was able to steal the ball from Kenya’s Manzur Okwaro before slotting in from the edge of the box.

His experience playing in the Swedish top flights with Degerfors will also come in handy against South Africa.

Yonathan Sultan

Just 19, the Australia-born goalkeeper is the reason Eritrea left Kenya with a point and not a heavy defeat.

Sultan was unfazed by the stage and occasion as he stood tall between the posts and repelled all but one of the shots he faced.

So good at denying strikers one-on-one and great positioning at the near post, Sultan also has agility that allows him to easily dive either way or make saves with his feet.

The teenager faced six shots and saved five against Kenya, including three from one-on-one situations, and South African forwards must find a way to breach him otherwise it will be a frustrating evening in Cairo.