Bafana Bafana find themselves in a crucial stage in their journey as they look to qualify for next year's AFCON tournament. The Stuart Baxter led team has a few new faces in the squad with Cape Town City's Thabo Nodada getting a nod for the two-leg matches. There have also been some changes made to the original team that was selected as a few injuries resulted in Thamsanqa Mkhize and Thembinkosi Lorch replacing Thapelo Morena and Vincent Pule, while Sibusiso Vilakazi's injury gave way for the young Gift Links from Benni McCarthy's side a chance to showcase his talents on the national stage if given a chance to play.
Ex-Orlando Pirates striker, Andries Sebola gives us his predictions on the following games. Do you agree with his choices?
Match of the Week
South Africa v Seychelles (AFCON qualifier)
Match 1 Soccer 6 Pool 12 October S6 V2 P1
World Rankings: South Africa 73rd Seychelles 189th
Useful facts: Bafana Bafana are on a mission of redemption after only managing a draw on home soil against Libya in the last round of qualifiers, and the pressure is on for Stuart Baxter and his charges. A loss in front of the expectant FNB Stadium crowd will put the Mzansi's hopes of qualification in danger and make the return game between the two nations next Tuesday all the more important. Seychelles considered the whipping boys of the group after suffering two defeats in two games so far, will not want to go down without a fight and Bafana will know all too well about the undesirable consequences of underestimating so-called minnows. Taking the game to FNB could prove to be a stroke of genius on the part of the South African Football Association, as the national side historically has a good record at the venue.
Andries Sebola: South Africa win
Mozambique v Namibia (AFCON qualifier)
Match 3 Soccer 6 Pool 12 October S6 V2 P1
League Rankings: Mozambique 113th Namibia 116th
Useful facts: The Namibians lie bottom of the group standings and have a mountain to climb if they want to see themselves at the showpiece in Cameroon next year. The home side is out to redeem themselves after the 2-2 draw against Guinea-Bissau in the last qualification encounter, in an encounter where they took the lead in referee's optional time, only to concede just before the final whistle.
Andries Sebola: Mozambique win
Senegal v Sudan (AFCON qualifier)
Match 6 Soccer 6 Pool 12 October S6 V2 P1
League Rankings: Senegal Sudan
Useful facts: The Lions of Teranga should be favourites in a game where they come up against the side sitting at the basement of the table – Sudan are yet to collect a single point after two games. Such is the quality in the Senegalese side that the West Africans, who were one of the five African representatives at the 2018 World Cup, are already seen as favourites to clinch the trophy next year. Looking at the fact that Senegal have scored five goals from their two games so far, while Sudan have conceded four, the former should be too good for their opponents on the day.
Andries Sebola: Senegal win
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