Bafana Bafana’s hope of winning a second Africa Cup of Nations title was dashed after they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Cameroon in the round of 16 in the 2025 edition of the continental competition. Bafana Bafana squeezed their way through the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) group stages. But their luck ran out in the round of 16 when they were vanquished 2-1 by Cameroon in the Moroccan capital of Rabat.
It was a clash of former African champions, with Cameroon boasting a massive five Afcon gold medals to Bafana Bafana’s single gold, which came three decades ago. The early stages of the match were frantic as both teams displayed urgency, hoping to earn the ascendancy. South Africa had the better chances during that period, but they failed to capitalise.
During that early fracas, the Indomitable Lions were dealt a blow as Darlin Yongwa had to be substituted after 21 minutes due to injury. Despite this early setback, the Indomitable Lions roared into the lead through a Junior Tchamadeu strike in the 34th minute. The South Africans failed to clear their line from a corner kick and England-based Tchamadeu reacted quickest in that ping-pong moment.
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Striker Christian Kofane then doubled Cameroon’s lead via a header two minutes into the second stanza. The South Africans were once again punished after failing to adequately deal with the danger posed by a corner kick. They attempted a fight-back.
However, the chances they created were regularly thwarted by Indomitable Lions goalkeeper Devis Epassy, until Evidence Makgopa latched on to an Aubrey Modiba cross with two minutes left until the full 90. But it was too little too late for the South Africans as Cameroon held on to move into the quarterfinal stage. It was the 10th tussle between the nations, with South Africa enjoying the majority bragging rights from the previous nine encounters.
Before this latest clash, South Africa boasted three wins to Cameroon’s solitary success. The other five encounters ended in a stalemate. It was only the second time the two teams had met at Afcon.
The first encounter came in what was South Africa’s maiden Afcon campaign after a lengthy ban from the sport due to apartheid. That group-stage match ended 3-0 in favour of Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg. The emphatic victory set the tone for what would be a memorable Afcon campaign for Bafana Bafana, as they went on to win the continental tournament during their first-ever participation.
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