After the match between Sudan and Sao Tome and Principe on Wednesday ended 2-0 in favour of Sudan, Bafana Bafana now need a win against Ghana to keep the hope alive and would have to wait on the final matchday to confirm a place at the tournament that’s even if they record victory over Ghana this evening.
Molefi Ntseki’s men are second with nine point, the Black Stars are first and Sudan whom they visit on Sunday to wind up their qualification campaign are in the third position.
Group C matches will be the one to watch out as the top-three teams are all within a chance of claiming a berth for Cameroon 2022.
However, if South Africa lose to Ghana, they will travel to Sudan under pressure for an outright win on Sunday.
| Game | South Africa vs Ghana |
| Date | Thursday, March 25 |
| Time | 18:00 SA Time |
TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch
| Online Streaming | TV Channel |
|---|---|
| SABC 1/Ghana Today Television |
Bafana Bafana is also part of the teams with injury lists and Covid-19 restrictions from clubs preventing their players from traveling.
Kemit Erasmus, a SuperSport United forward was injured while in action for the clubs and couldn’t make it to the camp.
Thulani Sererowere and Dean Furman were restricted by their clubs to travel to South Africa which is considered as a new Covid-19 variant hotspot.
Rangers FC midfielder Bongani Zungu is doubtful of the game against Ghana but will be expected to be available for the trip to Sudan.
New arrivals to the team are the Mamelodi Sundowns duo of Mothobi Mvala and Lebohang Maboe as well as Orlando Pirates midfielder Vincent Pule, Thabo Nodada and Thabiso Kutumela.
South Africa is not the only country short of players due to Covid-19 restrictions, Ghana is also in the same situation as Bafana Bafana where some European clubs are reluctant to allow their players to travel to South Africa.
Captain Andre Ayew, Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey are all missing out but the trio could be available for their final group game against Sao Tome at home.M
Chelsea loanee Abdul Rahman Baba and Ajax Amsterdam attacker Mohammed Kudus have managed to make it to South Africa after initially facing travelling challenges with their clubs.
Match Preview
South Africa Bafana Bafana and the Black Star of Ghana will be playing against each other for the 14th time since their first-ever meeting in November 1994 when Bafana won 2-1 in a Four Nations Tournament at Loftus Versfeld.
In the 13 games they have clashed in, four games have ended in a draw while Bafana enjoy a better record of five wins to Ghana’s four.
But the last time the two sides met, it was the Black Stars that won 2-0 in what was the opening match of this 2022 Afcon qualifying campaign.
Partey and Kudus were the ones who scored in that encounter with Bafana Bafana. And Ntseki’s men would be happy that the Arsenal man will not be available on Thursday.