Cameroon midfielder Bathusi Aubaas fights for the ball with South Africa’s forward Relebohile Mofokeng during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) round of 16 football match at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat on January 4, 2026. Picture: Abdel Majid Bziouat/AFP It’s no secret thatBafana Bafanacame into this edition of theAfrica Cup of Nations(Afcon) with raised expectations, and they certainly failed to deliver in that regard. South Africa crashed out of the tournament on Sunday following their2-1 losstoCameroonin their Round of 16 clash at Agdal Medina Stadium, in Rabat, on Sunday.
It came as a crushing blow to the SA footballing morale heading to theFifa World Cuplater this year. In October, Bafana qualified for their first Fifa World Cup since the 2002 edition (they gained automatic entry to the 2010 edition as hosts) and confidence seemed to be at a record high. Since Hugo Broos took over as coach back in 2021, Bafana have steadily improved their performances and the results have followed.
That’s why when Bafana came into this Afcon, it was with genuine belief they could contend for the title. Bafana were one of the surprise packages at the previous editions as they claimed the bronze medal, which prompted a hero’s welcome on their return to South Africa. Even against heavyweights Cameroon in their first knockout match, there was considerable confidence in this Bafana outfit.
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However, lacklustre defending throughout their four games in which they failed to keep a clean sheet and a lack of fight after they went behind against Cameroon were revealing. The fact is, Bafana beat Angola and Zimbabwe at this Afcon and lost to Egypt and Cameroon.
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