South Africa breathed new life into their TotalEnergies African Nations Championship PAMOJA 2024 campaign with a 2-1 victory over Guinea in Kampala on Monday, a result that lifted them off the foot of Group C and kept their qualification hopes intact.
Neo Maema opened the scoring in the tenth minute, combining neatly with Thabiso Kutumela before steering a composed left-footed shot into the far corner. It was a bright start for Molefi Ntseki’s side, who pressed high and unsettled Guinea’s defence in the opening exchanges.
Guinea responded in the 37th minute through Moussa Camara, who latched on to Mohamed Bangoura I’s incisive pass and drilled a low finish past goalkeeper Samukelo Xulu. The equaliser swung momentum briefly towards the Syli Nationale, who ended the first half on the front foot.
South Africa regained control early in the second half. Wayde Jooste’s precise delivery found Kutumela unmarked in the box and the striker calmly guided his shot into the bottom corner for his second career goal in CHAN competition.
Guinea pushed forward in the closing stages, with substitute Mohamed Diabate heading narrowly wide and Mohamed Bangoura II forcing a sharp save from Xulu. Cheick Camara’s towering header in stoppage time drifted just over, sealing their fate.
Ntseki’s men showed far greater discipline than in their opening match against Algeria, keeping their defensive shape and using swift transitions to exploit space. Substitutes Tebogo Tlolane and Harold Majadibodu played key roles in weathering the late pressure.
The result moves South Africa to four points, behind Algeria on goal difference, while Guinea remain bottom with a single point and now require both victory in their final match and favourable results elsewhere to progress.
