Prediction: South Africa vs Liberia

Verdict: South Africa win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to get their first Group K victory on the board, South Africa will welcome Liberia to Johannesburg on Friday afternoon.

South Africa

Starting with the hosts, opening their AFCON qualification adventure with a second-half collapse last year, South Africa will be looking to get their first Group K victory on the board here. Eventually slumping to a heartbreaking late 2-1 loss at the hands of African heavyweights Morocco, Hugo Broos’ men should be excited by the way that they signed off 2022. On a run that is highlighted by a thumping 4-0 romp against Sierra Leone back on September 24th, the one-time Cameroon boss finds his side in the midst of a four-match unbeaten run. Rightfully smelling the chance to make a qualifying statement in Johannesburg, South Africa have continued to shine on home soil over recent times. Including a lively 2-1 win against Mozambique four months ago, Broos’ men have suffered just a single defeat in front of their own supporters within 90 minutes since way back in October 2020.

Team News

Making the move to Championship high-flyers Burnley during the January transfer window, 22-year-old Lyle Foster will be hoping to play some part on Friday afternoon. However, Zakhele Lepasa should spearhead South Africa’s attack here.

The duo of Mamelodi Sundowns striker Cassius Mailula and Orlando Pirates’ Monnapule Saleng have been included in Broos’ 23-man squad this month.

Liberia

As for the visitors, while Liberia might have claimed a famous second-leg victory away at African icons Senegal last year, it appears that was just a minor boost for Ansumana Keita’s downbeat squad. Signing off 2022 with a nightmare display as they were hit with a routine 3-0 drumming at the hands of Egypt, the Lone Stars know that they face a huge uphill struggle if they’re to find a route out Group K. Getting their qualifying campaign off to a sluggish start back in June as they slumped to a 2-0 loss at home against Morocco, Friday’s guests have claimed just a single victory from their last eight appearances across all formats. With their extended blip underlined by a 4-0 loss against Benin last year, Liberia have also gained a reputation for their issues in the final third. It should be noted, Keita’s men have drawn a blank in four of their previous five showdowns on foreign soil.

Team News

Just one strike away from becoming Liberia’s all-time leading goalscorer, 31-year-old William Jebor will spearhead Keita’s attack in Johannesburg.

Accrington Stanley midfielder Mo Sangare has also been included in Keita’s 22-man squad. The Czech-based duo of Samson Dweh and Oscar Dorley have also been rewarded with a call-up.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 4-0 romp against Sierra Leone last year, South Africa are unbeaten in each of their last four appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, Friday’s hosts have suffered just a single defeat in front of their own supporters within 90 minutes since way back in October 2020.
• On a run that stems back to November 2021, Liberia have won just one of their last eight appearances across all formats.
• The Lone Stars have also drawn a blank in four of their previous five matchups on foreign soil.
• Both South Africa and Liberia opened their Group K campaign with respective defeats against Morocco.

Conclusion

Left heartbroken out in Morocco last year as they eventually slumped to a late 2-1 defeat, South Africa will know the importance of opening their Group K campaign on Friday afternoon. Signing off 2022 in the midst of a four-match unbeaten run, Bafana Bafana are rightfully tipped as a standout pick here. Continuing to shine in Johannesburg, Liberia should be bracing themselves for a stern test here. Last seen getting hit with a 3-0 drumming at the hands of Egypt, Keita’s downbeat squad have come crashing back down to earth since their famous display out in Senegal last year. Drawing a blank in four of their last five appearances on foreign soil, we are backing a home victory for South Africa this weekend.

Verdict: South Africa win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Unibet