South Africa heads to AFCON 2025 in Morocco with a mix of renewed confidence and fresh ambition. After years of struggling to make their mark, Bafana Bafana have put themselves back on the continental map with a resurgence built on youthful talent and experienced leaders. For South African fans, this tournament is not just another challenge but a chance to confirm that their national team is truly back among Africa’s elite.
- Nickname: Bafana Bafana
- Head coach: Hugo Broos
- Football Association: South African Football Association
- AFCON appearances: 11 times
- FIFA ranking: 57
South Africa’s Match Schedule
South Africa has been drawn into Group B, alongside Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe. Below is their full group stage schedule, including dates, times and venues. So you know exactly when to follow Bafana Bafana.
| 22 December | Group stage |
 South Africa Angola | 2 1 |
| 26 December | Group stage |
 Egypt South Africa | 1 0 |
| 29 December | Group stage |
 Zimbabwe South Africa | 2 3 |
| 4 January | Round of 16 |
South Africa Cameroon | 1 2 |
Road of 16 Scenarios
First Place: If South Africa wins Group B, they will face the best third-placed team from Group A, C, or D (Comoros, Mali, Morocco, Zambia / Nigeria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda / Benin, Botswana, DR Congo, Senegal). This match will be played at the Stade Adrar.
Second Place: If South Africa finishes second, they will meet the runner-up from Group F (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Mozambique). This game will take place at the Stade Al Barid in Rabat.
Best third place: If South Africa qualifies as one of the best third-placed teams, there are two possible outcomes:
- If they finish above the third-placed teams in Group E or F, they will face the winner of Group D (Benin, Botswana, DR Congo, Senegal) at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangier.
- If they finish above the third-placed teams in Group A or F, they will face the winner of Group C (Nigeria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda) at the Complexe Sportif de Fès.
Stats South Africa AFCON 2025
Top scorer
| # | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Oswin Appollis | 2 |
| 2. | Lyle Foster | 2 |
| 3. | Evidence Makgopa | 1 |
| 4. | Tshepang Moremi | 1 |
Assists
| # | Player | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Lyle Foster | 2 |
| 2. | Aubrey Modiba | 1 |
| 3. | Tshepang Moremi | 1 |
Rating
| # | Player | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ronwen Williams | 7,2 |
| 2. | Teboho Mokoena | 7,1 |
| 3. | Oswin Appollis | 7,1 |
| 4. | Lyle Foster | 7,1 |
| 5. | Mbekezali Mbokazi | 7,0 |
| 6. | Aubrey Modiba | 6,9 |
| 7. | Evidence Makgopa | 6,9 |
| 8. | Relebohile Mofokeng | 6,9 |
| 9. | Siyabonga Ngezana | 6,8 |
| 10. | Bathusi Aubaas | 6,7 |
Squad South Africa
Keepers:
Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders:
Samukelo Kabini (Molde FK), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Siyabonga Ngezana (Steau Bucharest), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (QPR)
Midfielders:
Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalenthe Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Masindi Nemtajela (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates)
Attackers:
Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq)
Head Coach South Africa
Initially met with skepticism, Hugo Broos has won over South African hearts by rebuilding Bafana Bafana with bold decisions that, while unpopular at first, restored a strong team identity. The 72-year-old Belgian coach has a proven record of upsetting expectations, having led Cameroon to continental glory in 2017. His ability to inspire young, relatively inexperienced players has been a hallmark of his coaching career, a quality that was recognized when he was shortlisted at the CAF Awards.
Star Player South Africa
Relebohile Mofokeng has rapidly become one of South Africa’s brightest prospects. A winger for Orlando Pirates, he broke into the first team in May 2023 and wasted no time making an impact. In the 2023/24 season, he lifted both the Nedbank Cup and MTN 8, while being named PSL Young Player of the Season. He followed that up in 2024/25 with 12 goals and 15 assists in 49 matches, cementing his status as a decisive creative force.
On the international stage, Mofokeng debuted in June 2024 in a World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe, scoring his first goal shortly after against Lesotho. His dribbling, pace, technical flair and sharp football IQ make him a “clutch” player capable of producing game-changing moments. European scouts, including those from FC Barcelona, have already taken notice.
South Africa AFCON History
Since their debut in the 1990s, South Africa has built a colorful but inconsistent history at the Africa Cup. Bafana Bafana made a dream start, quickly establishing themselves as a force, but subsequent decades brought fluctuating fortunes.
Their first appearance in 1996 ended in glory on home soil, as they defeated Tunisia 2–0 in the final to become African champions at the first attempt. The team confirmed their rising status with a final appearance in 1998 and a third-place finish in 2000, marking three consecutive podium finishes.
After that golden era, however, came leaner years, with failed qualifications and disappointing group-stage exits. Yet the 2023 edition in Côte d’Ivoire rekindled belief: South Africa stunned favorites Morocco en route to the bronze medal, reestablishing themselves as genuine contenders for continental honors.
Road to AFCON 2025
South Africa impressed during qualifying, dominating their group from start to finish. Bafana Bafana remained unbeaten, combining defensive solidity with attacking flair. Comprehensive wins over Congo and South Sudan showcased their firepower, while tightly contested clashes with Uganda demonstrated their ability to edge tense encounters. With 14 points, 16 goals scored, and only 5 conceded, South Africa comfortably secured their ticket to Morocco.
| Friday 6 September 2024 | |
South Africa Uganda | 2 2 |
| Tuesday 10 September 2024 | |
 South Sudan South Africa | 2 3 |
| Friday 11 October 2024 | |
South Africa Congo | 5 0 |
| Tuesday 15 October 2024 | |
| Congo South Africa | 1 1 |
| Monday 11 November 2024 | |
| Uganda South Africa | 0 2 |
| Tuesday 19 November 2024 | |
| South Africa South Sudan | 3 0 |
| Team | PTS | G | W | D | L | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 14 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | +11 |
| Uganda | 13 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +3 |
| Congo | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -8 |
| South Sudan | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -6 |
Stats
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Teboho Mokoena | 3 |
| 2. | Thalente Mbatha | 2 |
| 3. | Lyle Foster | 2 |
| 4. | Oswin Appollis | 2 |
| 5. | Iqraam Rayners | 2 |
| 6. | Patrick Maswanganyi | 2 |
| 7. | Bathusi Aubaas | 1 |
| 8. | Elias Mokwana | 1 |
| 9. | Thapelo Morena | 1 |
Assists
| Player | Assists | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Oswin Appollis | 4 |
| 2. | Aubrey Modiba | 1 |
| 3. | Elias Mokwana | 1 |
| 4. | Iqraam Rayners | 1 |
Players Rating
| Player | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Oswin Appollis | 7,9 |
| 2. | Teboho Mokoena | 7,7 |
| 3. | Thalente Mbatha | 7,4 |
| 4. | Khuliso Mudau | 7,4 |
| 5. | Mothobi Mvala | 7,3 |
| 6. | Patrick Maswanganyi | 7,3 |
| 7. | Lyle Foster | 7,2 |
| 8. | Bathusi Aubaas | 7,2 |
| 9. | Aubrey Modiba | 7,2 |
| 10. | Ronwen Williams | 7,2 |