Williams eyes perfect start as Bafana tackle Guinea in Group D opener

Today’s game also marks the new era under new head coach Pitso Mosimane, who replaced Hugo Broos last month. With the co-hosts Kenya also part of Group D, only one team will join them from this group, meaning that topping the standings is the main priority. This is something Williams says is non-negotiable starting today.

"Yes, we know how important it is, especially the qualifiers, to collect maximum points at home – you never know what you're going to get on the other side. We know the conditions and the traveling," said Williams.

READ: Mosimane confirms Sibisi will sit out the Guinea game

"There is a lot at stake at this level, so we control what we can, and that's your home ground advantage: our supporters. When we play at home, we see a different team – you see the energy, and you feel the love from the supporters. So we know how important it is to get those first three points on the board. You also check the group and see who is in your group, and you see who will be your direct rivals."

Mosimane’s era comes on the back of a very successful five-year campaign under his predecessor Hugo Broos, who led Bafana to a bronze medal at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast and also qualified the team for the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they reached the knockout stage for the first game. Williams says under the new coach, they need to take it a notch up and continue with the momentum.

The mood around eSgodini yesterday was also one of excitement in the Bafana camp, following Amajita’s hard-fought and sensational 4-2 victory over Zambia in Maputo, Mozambique, to qualify for the AFCON U20 tournament in Ghana next year and reach the final. Coach Raymond Mdaka’s team came back from a goal down to win 4-2, with the special kid Emile Witbooi also stealing the headlines with his solo effort towards the end. Williams can’t stop raving about the Cape Town City sensational talent and this generation of Amajita.

The results and achievements at the World Cup have also opened doors for the local talent to make moves overseas, and some of the players in this camp, the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng and Thapelo Maseko, are living testimonies. Williams says these are exciting times.