Former Bafana Bafana defender Thabo Nthethe believes CAF club experience is strengthening the national side ahead of AFCON in Morocco. Photo: Backpagepix Former Bafana Bafana defender Thabo Nthethe feels that the national team’s exposure to CAF Champions League football could play a decisive role as they begin their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign. South Africa will open their AFCON journey against Angola next Monday at the Stade de Marrakech (kick-off 7pm), looking to carry forward the confidence gained from a third-place finish at the previous tournament hosted in Ivory Coast.
Hugo Broos and his Bafana squad are still chasing what would be just the nation’s second AFCON crown, having last lifted the trophy in 1996 under the leadership of Clive Barker. After delivering their most impressive performance in the competition in over a decade at the last edition, there is growing belief that the team can take another step forward and challenge for a place in the final. According to Nthethe, South Africa’s renewed competitiveness can largely be attributed to the increasing continental experience gained at club level, with Mamelodi Sundowns having set the benchmark by delivering consistent performances at that stage in the last decade. “Bafana Bafana have been doing well since coach Hugo took over,” Nthethe told theIndependent Newspapers.“He has built a strong team that has been helped by the domestic teams’ participation in the CAF Champions League over the years.” “Bafana Bafana have been doing well since coach Hugo took over,” Nthethe told the
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