South Africa's national football team, Bafana Bafana, have received a major confidence boost from their coach ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Head coach Hugo Broos has officially confirmed his squad's readiness for the continental showdown set to kick off in Morocco.
Broos Issues Confident Statement Ahead of Tournament Kick-off
The experienced Belgian tactician, Hugo Broos, made his declaration as the team finalised preparations for the tournament. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations officially begins on Sunday, December 21, 2025, featuring 24 nations vying for the prestigious title. Broos, who led Cameroon to glory in 2017, emphasised that his South African side is primed for the challenge, though he acknowledged the increased competition.
"We did very well two years ago at AFCON 2023, and we can’t be happy if we don’t come back with the same result," Broos stated in an interview with The Star. He highlighted the team's experience but noted the different pressure levels this time around. "The only thing we have to do is achieve the highest level, and I know these players can do that. It was the same last time, but the pressure is different now. We want to bring back home gold that’s for sure, but this is a very tough tournament."
Navigating a Tough Group B and Building on Momentum
Bafana Bafana's path to knockout stages will be tested in a competitive Group B, where they will face Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe. The team arrived in Morocco on Thursday, December 19, riding high after a friendly victory over Ghana's Black Stars. Broos stressed the importance of carrying that winning mentality into their crucial opening match against Angola on December 22.
"It is vital that we don’t lose that game," the coach cautioned, drawing lessons from the previous tournament. "We saw at the last AFCON we lost against Mali, and then we struggled in our second match." Following the Angola clash, South Africa will take on Egypt on December 26 before concluding the group stage with a Southern African derby against Zimbabwe on December 29.
Defying the Odds to End a Long Trophy Drought
South Africa's sole AFCON triumph came in 1996, and ending that nearly 30-year wait is the ultimate goal. Under Broos's leadership since 2021, the team has shown significant improvement, culminating in a third-place finish in 2023 where they notably defeated eventual hosts Morocco in the playoff.
However, statistical models present a sobering challenge. According to a report by Legit.ng, Opta's supercomputer has predicted host nation Morocco as the favourite to win the tournament. The same prediction places South Africa in 10th position, giving them only a 2.2% chance of lifting the trophy. This means Broos and his squad must defy significant odds to achieve their golden ambition.
All eyes will now be on Morocco as the continent's best footballers gather. For South Africa, the mission is clear: translate their declared readiness into performances on the pitch and prove that their 2023 bronze medal was just a stepping stone to greater glory.
