MATCH FACTS: Guinea, South Africa in Group C showdown in Kampala

Guinea and South Africa will meet for the first time at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) when they clash in Group C in Kampala on Monday, adding a new chapter to the tournament’s history.

South Africa becomes the 15th different opponent for Guinea in CHAN competition, while Guinea is the 9th team South Africa has faced in the tournament. This match also marks Guinea’s third encounter against a COSAFA nation, having previously played Zambia twice.

For South Africa, it will be their fifth clash against a West African team, with past results showing mixed fortunes, including wins over Ghana and Niger in 2011, a draw with Mali, and a defeat to Nigeria in 2014.

Guinea – Key Facts

• Opened with a 1-0 win against Niger, followed by a 3-0 defeat to co-hosts Uganda.
• The Uganda loss was their biggest defeat at CHAN.
• Ended an 8-game unbeaten run in open play at CHAN (W5 D3).
• First defeat in open play since losing 3-1 to Morocco in the 2018 group stage.
• Record in third group games: P3 W2 D1 L0, never previously lost.
• Wins in third group games: 1-0 vs Nigeria (2016) and 1-0 vs Mauritania (2018); drew 2-2 vs Tanzania (2020).
• A defeat would mean back-to-back group stage losses for only the second time (first was 2018).
• Failure to win would mark a third instance of going two straight group games without victory (2016, 2018, 2020).
• Attempted 384 passes against Uganda — their highest at the current finals.
• Had 2 shots on target vs Uganda; 4 in their opener vs Niger.
• Involved in 105 duels vs Uganda, winning 51.
• Mohamed Diabite lost possession 23 times vs Uganda; in both matches, at least one player has lost possession 23 times.
• Aboubacar Bangoura created 4 chances vs Uganda, the most by a Guinea player in a single game so far.

South Africa – Key Facts

• Came from behind to draw 1-1 with Algeria in their opener.
• First time failing to win their opening game since 2011 and 2014, when they beat Ghana and Mozambique respectively.
• Conceded first in a group game for the fifth time at CHAN; avoided defeat for the fourth time (W3 D1 L1).
• Only group-stage loss after conceding first came in a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria in 2014.
• Have scored in all seven of their CHAN group games.
• Conceded in 7 of their 8 CHAN games, including their last six; last clean sheet was a 2-0 win over Niger in 2011.
• Winless in last three games (D2 L2); last victory was against Mozambique in 2011.
• Won their first three CHAN games in 2011; since then, one win in five (D2 L2).
• Record in second group games: P2 W1 D1 L0.
• Previous second group games: beat Niger 2-0 (2011), drew 1-1 with Mali (2014).
• Never before failed to win in opening two group games; in 2011 they won both, in 2014 they won and drew.
• Thabiso Kutumela scored his second CHAN goal in his 8th appearance, netting in the 45th minute from their first shot on target vs Algeria.
• Had 52.8% possession vs Algeria.
• Completed 335 passes in their opener with 85.9% accuracy.
• Ramahlwe Mphahlele led in touches (82), passes attempted (72), and passes completed (69) vs Algeria, with 95.8% accuracy.
• Goalkeeper Samukelo Xulu made three saves from four shots on target faced vs Algeria.