A combination of factors could work in favour of Bafana Bafana in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (Afcon) that starts in Morocco on Sunday. The tournament kicks off with the host nation taking on minnows Comoros in Rabat on Sunday night (9pm SA time). South Africa begin their quest for continental glory against difficult Angola in Marrakesh on Monday (7pm), where they will be looking for a positive start.
The factors that could benefit coach Hugo Broos’ team are that most of his starting line-up players are battle-hardened after they went deep in the Champions League last season for finalists Mamelodi Sundowns and semifinalists Orlando Pirates and featured prominentlyfor Bafana in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers. Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Khuliso Mudau, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas, Mohau Nkota, Thalente Mbatha, Relebohile Mofokeng and Evidence Makgopa accumulated plenty of Champions League minutes last season. Bafana Bafana have landed in Marrakech, Morocco, ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in the coming days!!!
It was a long journey from Johannesburg, but we are here now and raring to go!!#BafanaPride@10bet_ZA@CastleLagerSA@HonorAfrica@SABC_Sport@Shield_ZApic.twitter.com/mfNTcdcajq Pirates and Sundowns bowed out to Egyptian side Pyramids in their respective exit stages, and there is no doubt Broos is going to benefit from their strong participation in the tournament. There is also European experience with Siyabonga Ngezana, Samukele Kabini and Lyle Foster. Elias Mokwana has found form in Saudi Arabia, where Mohau Nkota is also finding his feet.
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Such players are going to be key as the team goes out to better their third-spot finish in Ivory Coast early last year, which was Bafana’s best Afcon placing in 24 years. Players like TS Galaxy centre-back Khulumane Ndamane and Pirates winger Oswin Appollis have been in good form in the Betway Premiership and will also be crucial for the team. The Bafana Bafana camp is now complete following the arrival of Shandre Campbell, Lyle Foster and Sphephelo Sithole.
All the members of the team that was selected by coach Hugo Broos a few days ago are now in Marrakech, Morocco. üî• üáøüá¶#BafanaPride@10bet_ZA@SABC_Sportpic.twitter.com/TJk9gd6uh1 Most of these players also gained valuable international experience in the World Cup qualifiers, where Bafana played many matches of consequence against teams such as Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Rwanda. All these factors have Broos believing his charges will be able to handle the pressure that comes with having won bronze in the previous edition. ‚ÄúWe will start Afcon with more status than two years ago,‚Äù the no-nonsense, 73-year-old Belgian mentor said.
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