Guinea head coach Paulo Duarte has placed Bafana Bafana alongside Senegal and Morocco as the three best teams in Africa after South Africa defeated his side 2-1 in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener.
Bafana scored on either side of the half for the victory at Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on Saturday afternoon, handing Pitso Mosimane’s side a winning start to their qualifying campaign.
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Despite the result going against Guinea, Duarte was full of praise for South Africa, highlighting the strength and cohesion within the squad, particularly among the Mamelodi Sundowns contingent.
“It was a great game, congrats to Bafana and Guinea. We played our own games, South Africa was strong and dynamic, one of the best teams in Africa alongside Senegal and Morocco,” Duarte said in his post-match press conference.
“We played a different type of football in the second half, and got the goal.”
The Portuguese tactician believes South Africa’s strength extends across the pitch, with the quality of their goalkeeper and the physical and technical attributes of their outfield players making them particularly difficult to overcome.
“South Africa is one of the best teams in Africa, it’s not an easy game. They found rhythm and how to play in the second half, but it’s a tough result to take for us now,” he added.
“In every sector they are strong. There were three players who didn’t play today, one who unfortunately passed away, Mbokazi not around and Foster. For me South Africa is good in every department, very good goalkeeper.”
Duarte also pointed to the familiarity within the Bafana squad as an important advantage, with several of the players having spent years playing together at Sundowns.
“So, if you ask me, who is the best in all sectors, they have good, big players, good, strong dynamic, most at Sundowns – they play together all the time,” he explained.
“They have been playing together a long time, and mine is a new team.”
While Guinea were left disappointed by the defeat, Duarte remains confident about the potential of his squad and believes their combination of youth and experience can make them a different proposition as the qualifying campaign progresses.
“For the future we have a good team with a good blend of youth and experience. I’m optimistic we will surprise many people,” he concluded.