South Africa Set For Crucial Clash Against Congo In AFCON Qualifier

Holifil

04 Apr, 2025

South Africa is ready to take on Congo in their third 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Gqeberha this Friday.
Despite missing a few key players, Bafana Bafana are still tipped to come out on top in this highly anticipated match.
Briefly News brings you everything you need to know about this thrilling qualifier between South Africa and Congo.

Hey there, soccer fans! South Africa is all set to continue their quest for qualification in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as they face off against Congo Brazzaville in their next Group K qualifier. This game promises to be a nail-biter, so let's dive into what's shaping up to be an exciting contest.

With the qualifiers reaching the halfway mark this week, every game becomes crucial for the teams involved. This means that all the teams in the groups have now played three matches each, making the pressure even higher. South Africa and Congo are no exception, and their double-legged encounter is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Hugo Broos and Ronwen Williams during the press conference ahead of Bafana Bafana's clash against Congo in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Photo: @BafanaBafana.Source: Twitter

What You Need to Know About South Africa vs Congo

A Look Ahead: Match Preview

So far, South Africa's journey in the qualifiers has been a bit of a mixed bag. Their first match ended in a draw against Uganda, while they managed to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory over South Sudan. But here's the kicker—despite these mixed results, Hugo Broos' squad is currently riding an impressive unbeaten streak of 10 games. Their last defeat? That was way back in the AFCON 2023 tournament against Nigeria.

Read also:
How Scammers Exploited General Gtz Sibisis Family During Their Grieving Process

On the other side of the pitch, Congo is dealing with some serious internal turmoil. The military-led government recently forced the Congolese Football Federation (Fecofoot) to shut down, which has undoubtedly affected their on-field performance. Just recently, they suffered a 3-0 loss after failing to show up for a World Cup qualifier against Niger. Now, they're stepping into this match with a lot on their plate.

While Bafana Bafana are considered favorites, the history between these two teams suggests that nothing is guaranteed. Let's just say the Red Devils have a knack for surprising everyone.

Team Updates and Possible Lineups

Here's some good news for South African fans: Ronwen Williams, the Mamelodi Sundowns star, is back in the lineup after missing the first two games due to injury. Coach Broos must be thrilled to have him back in goal. However, there's a cloud on the horizon—Orlando Pirates' Thalente Mbatha, who was instrumental in the games against Uganda and South Sudan, is out of this contest due to an injury sustained during the MTN8 final.

Without further ado, here's what the possible lineups might look like:

Possible South Africa Starting XI: Ronwen Williams; Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana, Rushwin Dortley, Aubrey Modiba; Oswin Appollis, Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas, Themba Zwane, Relebohile Mofokeng; Iqraam Rayners

Possible Congo Starting XI: Pavelh Ndzila; Yhoan Andzouana, Bryan Passi, Ryan Bidounga, Morgan Poaty; Jose Dembi, Chandrel Massanga; Mons Bassouamina, Prestige Mboungou, Merveil Valthy Streeker Ndockyt; Silvere Ganvoula

Read also:
Is Radhika Merchant Wealthy A Closer Look At Her Journey

Head-to-Head Showdown

If we rewind to their previous encounters, Bafana Bafana have the upper hand in their 11 meetings with Congo. South Africa has claimed victory in five of those matches, while Congo managed to win just one. The rest ended in draws, including the last time they met in Polokwane, which finished as a goalless stalemate. This history definitely adds an intriguing layer to this upcoming clash.

Game Time and Viewing Details

Mark your calendars, folks! The game kicks off at 19:00 on Friday, October 11, 2024, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. If you're in South Africa, you can catch all the action live on SABC. Don't miss it!

Broos Unfazed by Congo's Troubles

In a recent report by Briefly News, Coach Hugo Broos made it clear that he isn't letting Congo's internal issues distract him from the task at hand. The Belgian strategist is keeping his focus firmly on Friday's game and will assess the situation for the second leg later. It's this kind of calm and calculated approach that has kept Bafana Bafana in such good form. Let's see how it plays out on the pitch!