South Africa and Guinea gear up for a Monday showdown with it all on the line

The Mandela National Stadium in Kampala is set to erupt on Monday evening when South Africa and Guinea collide in a Group C clash that neither can afford to lose. Kick-off is at 17:00 local time — and the stakes could hardly be higher.
For both sides, the equation is brutally simple: win, and the dream of progressing in the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship 2024 lives on. Lose, and the road ahead becomes a steep, perhaps impossible climb.
South Africa arrive with a single point from their 1-1 opener against Algeria, while Guinea are still reeling from a 3-0 defeat to Uganda.
With Uganda and Algeria holding the upper hand in the standings, Monday’s encounter is shaping up as a survival fight — one that will be dictated as much by mental steel as by tactical nous.
Ntseki: Turning Promise Into Points
Bafana Bafana head coach Molefi Ntseki has been quick to stress that this is a “second opportunity” for his squad — a chance to turn a respectable opening result into a springboard for qualification.
“The first game served as a real icebreaker for us, and we managed to fulfil that objective. The performance was at the right level and was reflected in the result achieved against a solid team. Now, we are in fourth place in the group, with just one point, and we know we have to surpass ourselves in the next game.”
Ntseki is acutely aware of the margins in a group he describes as “very competitive, with well-prepared teams.” He knows only a top-level display will be enough to claim the win his side needs.
Camara Refuses to Yield After Heavy Loss
On the opposite bench, Guinea boss Souleymane Camara has refused to let the bruising defeat to Uganda shake his belief. He insists the Syli Nationale still control their destiny.
“I believe tomorrow’s game is there to be won. I am responsible for this team and I remind my players that they can win," the Guinea said.
"We have had enough time to rest and I believe they are recovered. It’s not the fact that we lost that takes away our hope. Our objective is still alive.”
Camara is adamant that his team’s footballing identity will remain intact. There will be tweaks, but not a wholesale abandonment of their style.
Bottom of the Table, But Not Out
The current standings make grim reading for both teams. South Africa prop up the group with a single point, while Guinea are just above them on goal difference.
Uganda and Algeria lead the way, with Niger yet to register a point.
In tournament football, momentum is everything, and Monday is the moment for one of these sides to seize it.
Dolly: Fix the Mistakes, Take the Chances
South Africa captain Keagan Dolly is relishing the chance to put things right.
“It won’t be easy, but we’re doing our homework and focused on improving game by game. We analysed what we did wrong and we’re going to fix it," said Dolly.
"Our focus is to maintain consistency, stay concentrated, and try to create goal opportunities because every goal will count.”
Dolly’s role as leader will be critical, especially in steering younger players through what is likely to be a high-pressure 90 minutes.
Diarra: Guinea Must Respond
For Guinea, creative midfielder Mahamed Madani Diarra — recently back from injury — will be central to their hopes.
“After the loss against Uganda, we returned to training focused on tomorrow’s match. Among the players, we talked and concluded we must react and overcome the bad moment," he said.
"The most important thing is not to lose focus. We are here to represent Guinea and will do our best to win the game. We are all concerned and aware of what we have to do on the pitch.”
Diarra’s ability to knit together Guinea’s attack could prove the difference if the match is tight.
Ntseki’s Tactical Notebook
Ntseki has left little to chance in his preparation. He has studied Guinea’s set-piece routines and midfield patterns, and he is wary of their key attacking outlets.
“They have players capable of causing problems at any moment,” he warned, picking out Guinea’s numbers 7 and 10 for their movement and ability to unbalance defences.
Defensive discipline will be a priority, but Ntseki knows his side must also be brave enough to attack.
Camara Plays His Cards Close
Camara, meanwhile, has kept his starting eleven under wraps. But he insists the mood in the Guinea camp is one of readiness.
“We are prepared and motivated to face the expected difficulties,” he said.
Guinea’s response to their opening loss will depend on whether they can maintain defensive solidity while still carrying a goal threat.
Only Victory Will Do
In a group where every slip is punished, the reality is stark: defeat for either South Africa or Guinea on Monday could spell the end of their CHAN 2024 hopes.
Victory, on the other hand, would inject belief, momentum, and a lifeline heading into the final round of matches.
Kick-off is set for 17:00 at Mandela National Stadium, and with both sets of players and coaches talking tough, the stage is set for a tense, possibly dramatic contest.