South Africa visit minnows Eritrea in the second game of their AFCON 2027 qualifiers as they target a win to maintain their perfect start to the qualifying campaign.
Ayomidde Oguntimehin provides the lowdown for the September 30 clash at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.
Eritrea vs South Africa match preview
Eritrea enter this clash on the back of a very impressive 1-1 draw against Kenya in the opening match of the qualifiers and will be targeting another shock result against South Africa in this encounter. The Red Sea Camels have never qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament and only recently returned to the qualifiers after a 19-year absence.
They had defeated Eswatini 4-1 on aggregate to book their place in Group D alongside South Africa, Kenya and Guinea.
The grind continues as Bafana Bafana 🇿🇦 are getting ready for their Match against Eritrea on Wednesday at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt. The match will kick off at 18:00.#BafanaPride @StandardBankZA @adidasZA @HonorAfrica @SABC_Sport @REXONA_SA @NUTRITECHFIT @socios… pic.twitter.com/qYNz1MhaxV
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 28, 2026
South Africa, meanwhile, kicked off their campaign under new coach Pitso Mosimane with a 2-1 win over Guinea to stay top of the group and in pole position to qualify for the main tournament next year. Ime Okon and Samukele Kabini scored the goals in the victory, while Seydouba Cisse scored the only goal for Guinea in the encounter.
Bafana Bafana are favourites to advance from the group, and it is not a surprise, given that they have qualified for three of the last four AFCON editions, only failing to reach the 2021 edition. However, they last won the tournament in 1996, with the closest they have come since then being a second-placed finish in 1998.
Eritrea vs South Africa Head-to-Head
Both sides have never faced off in a competitive fixture and this qualifier marks their first-ever clash.
Best betting odds
Over 2.5 Goals – 1.32 (via 1xBet)
Bafana Bafana arrive safely in Cairo, Egypt, ahead of their CAF AFCON 2027 Qualifier against Eritrea. The South Africa senior men’s national team will face Eritrea at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.#BafanaPride @StandardBankZA @adidasZA… pic.twitter.com/9drGYdDYPr
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 27, 2026
Prediction
South Africa possess greater quality and are massive favourites to run out winners in this clash, which is also expected to produce at least three goals.
Recent form: Eritrea
Eritrea are unbeaten in their last three games in the AFCON qualifying, recording two wins and a single draw during this period.
They also scored twice in both legs against Sweden, before holding Kenya to a 1-1 draw last week.
Recent form: South Africa
South Africa have won only two of their last seven games across all competitions, with both wins coming against South Korea at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and against Guinea in their last qualifying match.
Bafana Bafana have only managed two clean sheets during this period, and they failed to score in three matches as well.
Player to watch
Olwethu Makhanya (South Africa)
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The Rangers defender paired Okon in the heart of the defence in the win over Guinea and while he did not have the goalscoring impact of his partner, Olwethu Makhanya marshalled the backline well against the threat of Serhou Guirassy.
The 22-year-old will be hoping for another impressive outing this time around to continue his fine form for club and country.
