Bafana Bafana will kick off their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign against Mali on Tuesday, 16 January.
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South Africa have been drawn in tough looking Group E alongside Tunisia, Mali and Namibia at the tournament being hosted by the Ivory Coast.
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According to the latest FIFA rankings, Tunisia are ranked third in Africa (28th in the world), Mali are ninth (51st in the world) and Namibia find themselves in 27th place on the continent (115th in the world).
South Africa are 12th in Africa and 66th in the world.
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Bafana Bafana will face Mali in Korhogo at 22:00 (SA time).
Hugo Broos’ team will then face Namibia on Sunday, 21 January at 22:00 (SA time) and will wrap up their group matches against Tunisia on Wednesday, 24 January at 19:00 (SA time).
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Only the top two sides in each of the six groups – along with the four best third-placed finishers – will qualify for the Round of 16.
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Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana have been installed as underdogs for their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opening group match against Mali on Tuesday.
According to leading South African bookmakers Hollywoodbets, Mali are favourites for the match at 1/1, while Bafana Bafana can be backed at 28/10.
The draw after 90 minutes is available at 37/20.
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PREDICTION
South Africa 1-1 Mali
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BAFANA BAFANA AFCON 2023 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Terrence Mashego (Mamelodi Sundowns), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sydney Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Siyanda Xulu (SuperSport United)
Midfielders: Thapelo Maseko (Mamelodi Sundowns), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch FC), Thabang Monare (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela/POR)
Forwards: Zakhele Lepasa (Orlando Pirates), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol/CYP), Percy Tau (Al Ahly/EGY), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Three players have been placed on standby.
They are Sibongiseni Mthethwa (midfielder – Kaizer Chiefs), Elias Mokwana (forward – Sekhukhune United) and Tapelo Xoki (defender – Orlando Pirates).
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