Ntseki urges South Africa to stay sharp ahead of Guinea clash

South Africa head coach Molefi Ntseki has warned his players against complacency as they prepare to face Guinea on Monday, August 11, 2025, at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

“The first game was an icebreaker. We’re taking it one day at a time. We respect every opponent, and this is another opportunity to show improvement from our last performance,” Ntseki said.

Currently sitting fourth in Group C with one point, South Africa is aiming to climb the table and secure a spot in the knockout stage.

“The pressure is on us, but we must attack and create moments that lead to results,” he added.

Despite a goalless draw against Algeria, Ntseki praised his team’s performance and reiterated their commitment to sticking with their tactical structure.

“We had a good game against Algeria, even though the result didn’t reflect it. We’ll stick to our plan and take each match as it comes.”

The coach noted that the technical team has identified key areas for improvement and expressed confidence in the squad’s quality and mindset.

“I’m pleased with the players’ attitude and quality. We’ve pinpointed areas to work on, and we’re hopeful for better outcomes.”

Ntseki reaffirmed South Africa’s ambition to win the tournament, emphasizing that the team remains focused and aware of the challenges ahead.

“Our target is still to win the tournament. We’re on the right track, and the players understand the task at hand.”

He also highlighted the importance of strategic planning in knockout tournaments, noting that every match must be treated like a final.

“In a tournament like this, you have to anticipate who you might face in the next round. Every game is a final.”

Ntseki concluded by acknowledging the rising competitiveness across African football.

“Gone are the days of big teams and small teams. The standard is now very high.”