Photo of Chumasande Matiwane

Bafana Bafana get home advantage for AFCON 2027 opener

4w By Chumasande Matiwane

Bafana Bafana will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in Soweto after the South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed the Orlando Stadium as the venue for the opening Group D clash against Guinea. 

Also see: SAFA under pressure over Bafana Bafana World Cup bonuses

The match is scheduled for Saturday, 26 September 2026, giving South Africa home advantage as they begin their road to the 2027 AFCON tournament. 

The venue confirmation ends several days of speculation. Orlando Stadium and the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenburg had initially been identified as the two options for the fixture.  

Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana Bafana return begins in Soweto

The Guinea match will be particularly significant because it is expected to mark Pitso Mosimane’s first match back in charge of Bafana Bafana. 

Mosimane returns to the national team hot seat after a lengthy absence, and his first competitive assignment will immediately test him against Guinea. 

With the match taking place at Orlando Stadium, Bafana will have the backing of a passionate Soweto crowd as they look to make a winning start to their qualifying campaign. 

But Guinea will be the first obstacle in South Africa’s Group D campaign. The fixture carries added importance because starting the qualifiers with three points would give Bafana an early advantage in the race for qualification. 

Reports indicate that South Africa will then travel to Egypt to face Eritrea on 30 September 2026, before a proposed international friendly against Egypt on 4 October 2026.  

Also see: Pitso Mosimane calls for major changes to Bafana Bafana

Orlando Amstel Arena gets another major international fixture

The Soweto stadium officially entered a new era in January 2026 when it was renamed Orlando Amstel Arena as part of Amstel’s partnership with Orlando Pirates. The team confirmed the new name earlier this year.  

Now, the iconic Soweto venue will welcome the national team for what promises to be an important night in South Africa’s journey towards AFCON 2027.

Also see: Bafana Bafana veteran Ramahlwe Mphahlele hangs up his boots 

Featured image: X/@BafanaBafana

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