After a slow start to their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers last month, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos demands a strong performance against Congo Brazzaville’s Red Devils, who are desperate for a win.
Bafana and Congo are set to battle it out for the crucial points in back-to-back fixtures to book their tickets to the continental showpiece in Morocco.
South Africa hosts the first meeting at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Friday at 19:00.
Bafana hopes Congo offers them the best hospitality when they visit Brazzaville for the corresponding fixture on Tuesday.
But here we bring you everything you need to know about the first clash in the Friendly City.
Bafana aim for maximum points against the Red Devils
Bafana’s campaign to qualify for the 2025 Afcon started well as they collected four points after a possible six from their draw against Uganda and away victory against South Sudan.
But that didn’t meet coach Broos’ demands as he had stated clearly before the match that he targeted six points, nothing less.
But it’s history now that bloopers by goalkeeper Veli Mothwa denied the South Africans that mission.
The coach should be thrilled with the availability of the tried and tested skipper and number goalie Ronwen Williams for the clashes against Congo.
Williams missed the last Bafana camp as he was recovering from an injury setback that needed surgery.
Bafana, however, heads to the game without some of their key players such as midfield strongman Sphephelo Sithole, influential Thalente Mbatha, who scored crucial goals against Uganda and South Sudan, and Percy Tau, who asked to be left out of the national team.
Congo will be keen to produce a positive result against Bafana to get their campaign in the right direction.
They started with a 1-0 win over South Sudan before losing 2-0 to Group K leaders Uganda.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifer
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 11, 2024
⚽️ Bafana Bafana 🇿🇦 vs 🇨🇬 Congo Brazzaville
🗓 11 October 2024
⏰️ 19h00
🏟 Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium#BafanaPride#AfconQualifier pic.twitter.com/gDBP0I4N19
How to watch
South African Football Association (Safa) and SABC recently announced a new deal for broadcast rights.
The match will be on public broadcaster’s platforms including TV channels, SABC 2, SABC Sport, and different radio stations.
Betting odds
Here at Hollywoodbets, we have picked Bafana as a clear favourite to win the match.
South Africa and Congo have had 11 meetings, with Bafana claiming five wins to Congo’s one.
Broos has built a solid Bafana side over the past couple of years and that was evident during the Afcon campaign early this year when his team brought home the bronze medal.
7/10 South Africa | Draw 32/10 | Congo 7/1
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
The stadium, named after the first democratic president of South Africa Nelson Mandela, is in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape province.
It was one of the stadiums built to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup and hosted games during the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup.
Nations including Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, Uruguay and South Korea used the venue during the World Cup.
The stadium is home to Chippa United in the Premier Soccer League but also used to stage rugby matches. It has a capacity of 46,000.
Last meeting
The two sides last met 10 years ago during the 2015 Afcon qualifiers and that clash ended in a goalless draw in Polokwane.
Head-to-head
15.10.14 – South Africa 0-0 Congo
11.10.14 – Congo 0-2 South Africa
16.08.97 – South Africa 1-0 Congo
06.04.97- Congo 2-0 South Africa
31.01.93 – Congo 0-1 South Africa
Players to watch
Veteran such as Themba Zwane, Iqraam Rayners, Lyle Foster, and youngster Relebohile Mofokeng will play a crucial role in South Africa’s efforts to win at home.
The Red Devils also have players who could thwart Bafana’s ambitions, such as Merveil Ndockyt, who plays for HNK Gorica in Croatia, and Silvère Ganvoula (pictured above), who is part of the Young Boys team in Switzerland.
It is match day in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape........ #BafanaPride #AfconQualifier pic.twitter.com/ToP655HdQb
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 11, 2024
