Uganda vs South Africa | Friday, 15 November | Mandela National Stadium, Kampala | 15:00
Uganda is set to host South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations Round 5 qualifier match at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda on Friday. With both sides already qualified, the Uganda Cranes are expected to come out gun blazing in a bid to tighten their grip at the top of Group K and finish without defeat.
Pressure will be on the Bafana side as they will be playing in a hostile environment. They are desperate for positive results to finish as Group K winners.
To win (90 min)
Uganda 37/20
Draw 16/10
South Africa 33/20
Uganda
The Uganda Cranes have been a surprise package in these qualifying matches upstaging the 2023 AFCON bronze medallists by grabbing more points and topping the group at an early stage. South Sudan’s 3-2 victory against Congo Brazzaville secured the spot for both sides in Morocco.
They showed that they mean business by holding South Africa to a 2-2 draw in their own backyard, this was a match that they were expected to lose but were dominating and on the verge of winning until debuting Thalente Mbatha netted a last-minute equaliser.
To prove that their performance against Bafana was not a fluke, they followed it up with three straight victories. They defeated Congo Brazzaville 2-0 at home and followed it with back-to-back triumphs against South Sudan.
Head coach Paul Put assembled a strong 27-man squad including four newcomers. The squad’s new additions feature promising U-20 striker John Paul Dembe, currently playing for Swedish club BK Hacken, SC Villa’s in-form forward Hakim Kiwanuka, experienced defender Geoffrey Wasswa from Ethiopia’s Coffee and KCCA’s goalkeeper Mutwalibi Mugolofa.
South Africa
Hugo Broos’ men were certainly considered the strongest team in the group but have failed to live up to the expectations, they are sitting in the second spot in the group with eight points after securing two victories and two matches ended in ties in their four opening games.
They thrashed Congo 5-0 at home but were then held to a 1-1 draw in the return fixture. Bafana will be without veteran midfielder Themba Zwane who has been an integral part of the national team set-up, he is expected to be sidelined for up to six months after picking up an Achilles tendon injury in Bafana’s game against Congo. Zwane has been replaced by Orlando Pirates Patrick Maswanganyi.
Burnley striker Lyle Foster was substituted in South Africa’s 5-0 win against Congo when he suffered a knee injury, this has opened a spot for Pirates Evidence Makgopa who shined in the recent AFCON tournament.
Broos backed Makgopa to be the answer to Bafana’s goalscoring difficulties. “I have full confidence in Makgopa. He was here before because he’s a player, for me, who has potential. I think he needed a little bit of time to convince his coach at Pirates (Jose Riveiro). But yes, when Makgopa plays, he’s not only a striker but useful for the team. I took him with the team to AFCON. Said Broos.
“When you give him confidence, you have a good striker. That’s the reason he’s with us, especially because Lyle Foster is injured.” Broos concluded.
Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper Sage Stephens who has had a great start to the new season received his first national team call-up and will be hoping for his first cap. Siyabonga Ngezana, Mihlali Mayambela, Mothobi Mvala and Makgopa made their way back to the Bafana.
Oswin Appollis, Elias Mokwana and Iqraam Rayners are expected to start in front and break the home side’s defence to score goals that will see Bafana returning with maximum points.
How to watch?
South Africans can watch the match live on SABC 2 or stream it live on the SABC+ platform.
On Thursday, it was announced that tickets for the 45,000-seater stadium have been sold out. Broos is hopeful of a competitive match and a great atmosphere.
“I hope that it will be a nice game and a good game. It will be a full house, and there will be a lot of atmosphere inside the stadium. This is motivation for the players and let us hope that the best team wins today,” he concluded.
Head to head
10 April 2004: Uganda 0 – 1 South Africa
26 Mar 2005: South Africa 2 – 1 Uganda
04 Jun 2019: Uganda 1 – 2 South Africa
10 Jun 2021: South Africa 3 – 2 Uganda
06 Sept 2024: South Africa 2 – 2 Uganda
Prediction: Draw at 16/10
South Africa was close to being defeated by Uganda on home soil, this match will be even harder for them as they will be the away team. The Cranes only need one point in their two games to qualify and will be looking to do that without a loss.
Written by Siphesihle Soni