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South Africa vs Congo | Wednesday 15 October | Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane | 20:05
Not many football fans could have predicted Bafana Bafana’s commanding performance last Saturday in Pointe-Noire. Congo had shown strong play in Group A, so their 2-0 home defeat to a youthful South African squad surprised many. This Wednesday night, they’ll meet again at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Let’s unpack what to expect in this exciting rematch.
To Win (90mins)
South Africa 6/10
Draw 11/4
Congo 43/10
South Africa
With two wins and a draw, Shakes Mashaba has quickly risen from promising coach to a national hero. South Africans are notorious for either hailing or blaming coaches quickly, but Mashaba’s rise has been rapid and well-earned. Despite concerns about the Ebola outbreak threatening AFCON 2015, fans hope this won’t impact Bra Shakes’ successful reign. The last international loss for Bafana was a hefty 5-0 defeat to Brazil in March. Since then, they’ve remained unbeaten in AFCON qualifiers, showing strong form and great strategy. Mashaba’s faith in youth, featuring players like 17-year-old Rivaldo Coetzee, and his blending with international players such as Tokelo Rantie and Thulani Serero, mix experience with fresh talent. The recent goals from Bongani Ndudula and a stunning finish from Rantie have showcased Bafana’s attacking flair and solid teamwork.
Congo
Congo came into the weekend as log leaders but were overwhelmed by Bafana in their home stadium. Coach Claude Le Roy, a veteran with successful past stints leading Cameroon and Ghana, will be looking to bounce back quickly after his team’s uncharacteristic performance. Congo had shown resilience by beating Nigeria 2-0 in an earlier match, putting them in a good position to qualify. With Sudan and Nigeria faltering, Congo and South Africa are now clear favourites to advance from Group A. The Peter Mokaba Stadium clash will be critical as Congo looks to reclaim pride and continue their campaign strongly.
VERDICT: Under 2.5 Goals 13/20
Expect a tighter, more tactical game on home soil for Bafana Bafana, who aim to maintain their unbeaten run in the group. Congo looks set to retaliate strongly, making this a thrilling and possibly cagey encounter. We recommend two bets: a bold 0-0 correct score bet at 77/10 odds, predicting a cautious tactical match, and a safer Under 2.5 Goals bet. Both sides will be looking to avoid defeat, so a low-scoring contest is likely.
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