Bafana Bafana are to face their toughest opponent yet in the ongoing AFCON in Morocco as seven-time champions Cameroon await for the round of 16. If Bafana Bafana are to finally rid themselves of their 30-year-old trophy drought, then this Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) route — brutal, unforgiving and stacked with pedigree — may be exactly what they need. South Africa’s reward for navigating the group phase is a round-of-16 meeting with seven-time champions Cameroon on Sunday night.
It is the kind of opponent that once would have inspired dread. Now, it should inspire belief. Beyond the Indomitable Lions, the path only stiffens.
Hosts and favourites Morocco could await in the quarter-finals, while Nigeria — finalists at the last AFCON — or a resurgent Algeria loom later. On paper, it is the hardest possible road. In reality, it might be the most honest one Bafana could ask for. This team has quietly built its identity in the company of giants.
