Bafana Bafana will be out to complete the job against Congo when the two sides face off in the return leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Brazzaville on Tuesday.
South Africa can all but seal their place in next year’s tournament in Morocco with two games to spare if they secure maximum points as that will take their tally 10 points, with Uganda the only other team in Group K, capable of finishing higher than them.
Hugo Broos’ men head into the match high on confidence after thrashing the Congolese 5-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Friday and there is hope that they can turn on the style and seal their qualification.
Head-to-head
South Africa’s win on Friday took their victories over Congo to six, with four ending in draws while the Congolese have managed just one victory over Bafana Bafana since their first meeting in 1992.
Form guide
Bafana Bafana now have gone 15 games without losing over 90 minutes, dating back to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished third, and there is confidence that that record will stay intact.
They have played five qualifying matches since AFCON 2023, winning three and drawing two. Two of the three three wins have come over the last one month, including Friday’s victory.
Congo on the other side have won just one of their last five 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 after which 2-0 loss to Uganda and 5-0 to South Africa followed.
What has been said?
After playing on the sleek surface in Gqeberha, which Congo coach Isaac Ngata termed ‘European pitch,’ Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is concerned by the artificial turf that his side will play on in Brazzaville.
“It’s a synthetic pitch. We have already in the past had bad experiences with synthetic pitches if they’re not good,” Broos said.
“I think of the one in Rwanda, that was really bad. I never understand how you can play a qualifier for a World Cup on such a pitch.
“But okay, let’s look first at that. And if the pitch is like, for example, like the one in South Sudan, then we can’t complain.
“And then we have to be able also to play good football in that. But if the pitch is not good, it will be more of fighting football. Okay, if we have to do it like that, we will do it like that.”
Team news
South Africa, who arrived in Brazzaville on Sunday, do not have any fresh injury concerns and are likely to field the same starting XI that secured the big win in Gqeberha.
Congo, meanwhile, have been affected by the infighting between the government and local federation, which saw them arrive late for Friday’s match, but will welcome back Bryan Passi and Fred Dembi, who missed the clash in Gqeberha due to suspension.
Time and where to watch?
The match will kick off at 20.00 at the Alphonse Massamba-Debat Stadium in Brazzaville on Tuesday and will be live on SABC.
Bafana v Congo Line-ups
Bafana Bafana predicted XI: Williams (C), Dortley, Kekana, Mudau, Modiba, Mokoena, Aubaas, Appollis, Zwane, Foster, Mokwana
Congo predicted XI: Mafoumbi, Poaty, Andzouana, Bidounga, Makosso, Otanga, Makouta, Ndockyt, Mboungou, Bassouamina, Ibayi
Score prediction
Bafana Bafana are still fancied to record maximum points although it is likely to be a tight contest.
Afrik-Foot prediction: Congo 1-2 South Africa
