South Africa will be looking to earn their first point in the Africa Cup of Nations when they take on their neighbours Namibia at Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium on Sunday evening.

While it is still only matchday two in the competition, Bafana Bafana will have to treat this as a knockout encounter, while the Brave Warriors can book their place in the next round with a win.

Match preview

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South Africa entered the tournament following a string of subpar performances and added another to that list as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mali in their opening match of the competition on Tuesday.

Bafana Bafana dominated possession and were bright in the first half of that match, but things progressively fell apart after Al Ahly midfielder Percy Tau missed a penalty inside the opening 20 minutes of the contest.

The Eagles improved as the match continued, and they were by far the better side in the second period as they pulled away from the South Africans with goals from Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko.

A defeat for Hugo Broos's side would likely see them on the brink of elimination from the tournament, but it is worth noting that they have not suffered a loss against the side from across the Orange River since 1998.

History is on Bafana Bafana's side, though, as the 1996 AFCON champions have never lost their first two games in succession at an AFCON competition since 2008.

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However, Namibia have pulled off one historical result already in this tournament and based on their performance in that match, you would not put it past them to claim another in this one.

The Brave Warriors caused arguably the biggest upset of the competition to date by beating one of the tournament favourites Tunisia in their opening match, securing not only their first win over the Eagles of Carthage but their first win at an AFCON as well.

In their three previous AFCON campaigns, Namibia had finished at the bottom of their group each time and had an all-time record of seven losses and just two draws.

Collin Benjamin's side will now face South Africa for the third time in AFCON competition, making their neighbours their most frequent opponent, although they did lose the previous two encounters to them.

Now unbeaten in their last three matches in all competitions and having maintained five clean sheets in their last six, the Brave Warriors will likely feel that they could not have chosen a better time to face their old foes.

Team News

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Lyle Foster was South Africa's top scorer in qualifying, but the Burnley striker withdrew from the squad in the lead-up to the tournament due to personal reasons.

Bafana Bafana are not the same team without Foster leading the line, and that became quite evident against Mali, especially in the second half when the South African attack looked as though they had run out of ideas.

While the South Africans came out of that match injury-free, it would come as no surprise if Broos opts to make several changes for this crucial encounter, which could see Zakhele Lepasa make the starting 11.

Deon Hotto scored the historic goal for Namibia against Tunisia in the 88th minute and will look to play a starring role again in this match alongside his midfield partner Prins Tjiueza.

Peter Shalulile, who plays club football in South Africa for PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns, is expected to lead the line against the team that features several of his clubmates, including his club captain Ronwen Williams.

South Africa possible starting lineup:
Williams; Mobbie, Xulu, Mvala, Modiba; Mayambela, Sithole, Mokoena, Tau; Lepasa, Makgopa

Namibia possible starting lineup:
Kazapua; Nyambe, Amutenya, Haukongo, Hanuman; Petrus, Iimbondi, Shitembi, Tijueza, Hotto; Shalulile

We say: South Africa 1-1 Namibia

The pressure is on South Africa to get a win here, especially with a difficult final group match against Tunisia likely to determine their fate. Namibia were deserved winners in their first match, and while they would relish the opportunity to beat their neighbours, they would likely settle for a draw here, which would put them in a very strong position to reach the last 16.

It should be an intense match between two sides that know each other very well, and we feel there will be nothing to split them at the final whistle.


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