2024 Chan: Bafana target second successive win against Niger

South Africa will tussle it out with Niger in the 2024 African Nations Championship group C match at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, on Friday.

Kick-off is at 7:00 pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

Bafana Bafana bounced back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Guinea in a group C encounter on Monday and they are undefeated in their last three matches across all competitions, having registered one victory and two draws.

South Africa are placed third in the group standings, but they are only two points behind leaders Algeria, and Bafana have one game in hand as they look to advance to the knockout phase of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Niger suffered a 2-0 defeat to co-hosts Uganda in their second group C match on Monday and the loss extended their winless run across all competitions to four matches, having registered two draws and two defeats.

The Menas are currently placed fifth in the group standings without a single point and they will be desperate to record their first victory of the tournament against South Africa and keep their knockout phase dream alive.

TEAM NEWS

South Africa and Niger have no suspension concerns coming into this match, but the Menas could be without Theodore Jules, who was substituted in the second half against Uganda due to an injury.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Niger coach Harouna Doula Gabde

“We need to regroup for the two remaining matches, against South Africa and Algeria," Gabde said.

"We must improve our finishing while keeping our defensive solidity. I don’t think we lacked physical presence, but we did lack efficiency in the final third.”

South Africa coach Molefi Ntseki

“We are looking to the next three days before we play Niger [on Friday],” Ntseki said.

“We have an important game on Friday because if we drop points, we were going to be under huge pressure. The four points we are carrying now gives us confidence and belief that we are on the right track.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Thabiso Kutumela, South Africa: The experienced attacker is in great form at the moment, having scored against Algeria before grabbing an assist and a goal during the win over Guinea.

Abdoul-Latif Goumey, Niger: The 20-year-old attacker is one of the Menas' star attackers and he will carry the team's hopes of securing a much-needed victory against South Africa.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

South Africa and Niger have met three times across all competitions since their first-ever match in September 2010.

Bafana have the edge in this rivalry, having won two games compared to the Menas' one victory.

Their last match ended in a 2-1 win in favour of Niger in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier in Niamey in September 2011.