BAFANA Bafana midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng had a hard to dig deep at times to kee up with the pace of the game against Bryan Mbeumo’s Cameroon that knocked the South Africans out in the Round of 16 of AFCON 2025. Bafana Bafana midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng says South Africa’s round-of-16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations has provided him with important lessons as his international journey continues. As the tournament enters its business end—where Africa’s top sides are battling for continental supremacy—Hugo Broos and his squad will be observing from afar, having missed out on a significant opportunity to further build on what has been a largely encouraging period for the national team.
With their next competitive assignment only coming later this year at the Fifa World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Bafana Bafana now face a lengthy wait, relying solely on international friendlies to prepare for the global showpiece. There is optimism that the disappointment suffered at AFCON will serve as a valuable wake-up call, sharpening their readiness far more effectively than it did heading into the continental tournament. Mofokeng is expected to play an important role in that process.
Making his first start of the competition, the 21-year-old delivered an energetic performance, helping South Africa carve out several attacking opportunities, although a lack of clinical finishing ultimately proved costly. Looking back on the tournament, the Orlando Pirates midfielder believes the challenge of facing elite opposition has contributed significantly to his development. “It was a difficult AFCON for me because we came up against some of the best players in the world,” Mofokeng said after his side’s elimination.
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“I took some learnings and gained some experience, which will make it a bit better the next time around.” The narrow 2–1 defeat to Cameroon — a match in which Bafana largely held the upper hand — remains a painful one, particularly given the chances created. Mofokeng highlighted key moments that could have altered the outcome. He came close to giving Bafana an early lead but narrowly missed, a moment he later acknowledged as decisive. “That chance was going to open the game for us,” Mofokeng reflected.
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