Bafana Bafana get their AFCON adventure underway against a top-class Mali outfit on Tuesday evening. Ryan Liberty previews.
AFCON 2023
Match 10 – Mali v South Africa
Tuesday 16 January 2024 | 22:00
AFCON is well and truly underway and South Africa gets in on the action when they face Mali on Tuesday evening. There has been a lot of talk around the Bafana Bafana squad, millions in bonuses, SuperSport initially not offering coverage of the tournament before a late about-turn – but now is the time when the focus shifts to the pitch and where the real business is taken care of.
To Win Match
Mali 21/20 | Draw 18/10 | South Africa 11/4
Mali opens their 13th AFCON experience against South Africa on Tuesday evening. The Eagles were the runners-up in this competition in 1972 and will once again go for African glory in 2024.
After absolutely lashing Guinea-Bissau 6-2 in their friendly warm-up game, I suspect the men from North-West Africa will feel they have reason to be confident. They have six different goal scorers find the back of the net which would speak to their ability to penetrate opposing defences from anywhere on the field – but for coach Eric Chelle it is more the fact that they have now gone seven games unbeaten (winning six).
RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara and Spurs’ Yves Bissoouma (yes, it’s not just Son who leaves Spurs…) will be the two players in this team who garner the most attention, but Mali boast quality attacking options all over the pitch. They will look to put as much pressure on Bafana Bafana’s defensive line and if given the chance can hurt the men from South Africa.
The 1996 African Champions make a return to the continent’s biggest competition, and at the risk of getting ahead of myself, they do with a little more positivity surrounding the national team. Hugo Broos has come in and made some commendable progress with everyone in the country beginning to take notice.
Mali will not be an easy opponent to open their campaign with, but the depth of our squad and the confidence in key players might be enough to give us reason to believe. It is no secret that the absence of Lyle Foster – who who was left out of the side with mental health difficulties – will be felt upfront. The Burnley striker has begun to rip up trees in the Premier League and coach Vincent Kompany has lauded him as a natural talent, born to play in the world’s strongest league.
Many eyes will be on Percy Tau, who has in recent years become the poster child of Bafana Bafana’s. There will be a lot of pressure on the Al-Ahly man up, but he has proven his worth in pressure-cooker situations before. Ronwen Williams maintains his place in goal for his country and I think the calm confidence he emits from the back is often amongst the most underrated aspects of our game.
Verdict: South Africa + BTTS (38/10)
Difficult game with two sides who will pride their ability to attack their opponents and put pressure on the final third. South Africa have been frustrating insofar as putting games to bed is concerned but the quality within the team and the balance around the pitch makes them my pick. Get on at generous odds!
