South Africa will tussle it out with Algeria in the 2024 African Nations Championship Group C match at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, on Friday.
Kick-off is at 4:00 pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Bafana Bafana drew 1-1 with Angola in an international friendly match on July 29 and they are also winless in their last two matches, having lost 3-0 to the same team in the 2025 COSAFA Cup final.
South Africa find themselves placed third in the Group C standings ahead of their first game in the 2024 Chan and they will be hoping to start their group stage campaign with a victory.
Meanwhile Algeria got off to a flying start in Group C as they thrashed co-hosts Uganda 3-0 on August 3 and they are undefeated in their last two matches across all competitions.
The Desert Foxes are currently placed at the top of the group standings and a victory over South Africa will boost their chances of progressing to the knockout phase of the tournament.
TEAM NEWS
South Africa and Algeria are yet to report injuries in their respective camps. The two teams also do not have suspension worries coming into this encounter.
WHAT WAS SAID?
South Africa right-back Wayde Jooste
“They deserve to be here. They’re a very good team, but we’ve done our analysis and most of the guys have seen them in action,” Jooste said.
“In any tournament format, you want to start well. You don’t want to be playing catch-up and relying on other results. If we pick up three points in the first game, it takes a load off our shoulders and gives us the best chance of progressing.”
Algeria coach Madjid Bougherra
“It was a good win. The result reflects the work this group has put in. It wasn’t easy — we were playing away, under pressure — but we dominated technically and tactically,” Bougherra said.
"We still have work to do. Managing the space between our lines is something we’ll improve. Stronger teams will try to exploit that.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Neo Maema, South Africa: The Bafana Bafana captain was the standout performer during the team's qualifying campaign as he scored twice against Egypt and he will be keen to lead his charges to win over Algeria.
Abderrahmane Meziane, Algeria: The 31-year-old attacker, who was named Man of the Match after scoring and providing an assist against Uganda, will be eager to inspire his nation to a win over South Africa.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
South Africa and Algeria have met five times across all competitions since their first-ever match in January 1996.
Both teams have recorded one win each and three matches ended in a draw, including their last meeting, which was in March 2024.
The encounter ended in a 3-3 draw in the Fifa series match played at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, Algeria.