Paulo Duarte Admits Bafana Bafana Were Too Strong in AFCON Clash

Guinea head coach Paulo Duarte praised Bafana Bafana after his side suffered a defeat in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, describing South Africa as one of the strongest teams on the continent. Duarte acknowledged the quality within the South African squad and credited them for producing an impressive display.

Speaking during the post-match press conference, Duarte also addressed his absence from the pre-match media briefing. The Guinea head coach apologized for missing the session and explained that it had clashed with a mandatory training commitment, making it impossible for him to attend.

The Guinea mentor reserved special praise for South Africa’s style of play, highlighting the team’s energy, movement and experience. Duarte noted that several members of the squad have developed strong chemistry through their success together at club level, which has benefited the national team.

Reflecting on the match itself, the Guinea head coach admitted that South Africa controlled much of the opening stages and made life difficult for his players. However, he felt Guinea improved after the interval and showed better rhythm as they pushed forward in search of a result.

Duarte also raised concerns about the competitiveness of the qualification group, suggesting that the draw had brought together several strong nations. Despite those concerns, he stressed that his team must remain focused on their performances and continue fighting for qualification.

Although disappointed by the outcome, the Guinea head coach remained optimistic about the future. Duarte expressed confidence in his young squad’s development and insisted that qualifying for AFCON remains the team’s main objective, while emphasising their determination to win their remaining matches.