Overview
- Mosimane began his second stint with a 2-1 home win over Guinea at Orlando Stadium on Saturday with Ime Okon and Samukelo Kabini scoring and Seydouba Cisse replying for Guinea.
- The match exposed selection strains as several regulars were absent because of injury or withdrawal and Orlando Pirates defender Nkosinathi Sibisi was ruled out after a training knock.
- Mosimane named five uncapped players in the squad to broaden options and used substitutes to change the game late, signaling a willingness to blood new talent under pressure.
- Group D carries extra weight because Kenya are automatic hosts and one other team will join them from the group which makes home points and the coming fixtures against Eritrea and Egypt immediately important.
- Mosimane framed the result as an early step toward a long-term project to build depth across starters and fringe players and to push for a first major Bafana trophy since 1996 while also aiming at Nations League and 2030 World Cup planning.