Bafana Bafana will be looking for a solid outing when they come up against Cameroon in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday. Photo: BackpagePix With the knockout stage set and the last 16 in place, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finds its heartbeat. For Hugo Broos and Bafana Bafana, the march toward history begins.
The calendar year 2025 drew to a close as a memorable period for Bafana, a team long searching for consistency and results. Their qualification for the Fifa World Cup later this year highlights the progress made, and the focus now turns to kicking off the new year with success, aiming for only their second AFCON triumph. The group stage offered glimpses of potential but also exposed areas that require sharpening if South Africa are to go deep into the competition.
Bafana will face a stern challenge in the knockout phase, taking on Cameroon at the Agdal Medina Stadium on Sunday (9pm kickoff). The clash will see one-time champions South Africa aiming to improve on their third-place finish in the previous tournament, while the Indomitable Lions, having exited in the round of 16 last edition, will be eager to not only surpass that performance but also pursue their sixth AFCON title. Both sides enter as strong contenders to lift the trophy, but the road ahead promises to be one of the toughest yet potentially most rewarding. Here, we examine three key talking points heading into this heavyweight encounter.
