TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025: Know the your team: South Africa
Fact File
Nickname: Bafana Bafana
Total Appearances: 11 (1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2019, 2023)
Last Appearance: Cote d’Ivoire 2023
Titles: 1 (1996)
FIFA Ranking: 57
Coach: Hugo Broos
Captain: Ronwen Williams
One of the best performing sides at the recent TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations last year, South Africa’s recent resurgence of form has seen the former African champions reclaim their spot amongst the best teams on the continent.
Third place finishers in Cote d’Ivoire under the guidance of Belgian tactician, Hugo Broos, South Africa prepare to make their 12th appearance at the finals, this time heading to the tournament as one of the strong contenders.
How they qualified:
South Africa finished top of a Group K consisting of Uganda, Congo and South Sudan without a single loss as they secured four victories out of six, with their other two results ending in stalemates. They qualified alongside Uganda.
Key Player to watch: Relebohile Mofokeng
Orlando Pirates attacker, Relebohile Mofokeng has been a revelation for the former African champions with stellar performances that have resulted in him getting the nod from Hugo Broos.
A natural winger with an ability to play as a playmaker, at just 20 the youngster continues to light up the local league and has also stepped up when getting the opportunity in national team colours.
Know the Coach: Hugo Broos
After a lot of scepticism from the locals, Hugo Broos has won the hearts of South Africans.
Broos has successfully rebuilt Bafana Bafana with unpopular selections that have really given their all for the South African flag.
It was a similar situation for the now 72-year-old coach when he led the Indomitable Lions to continental glory after a lot of doubt.
Broos’ unique ability to get the best out of young and inexperienced players with Bafana Bafana also earned him recognition at the recent CAF Awards were he was shortlisted.
Previous TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Appearances
Since their 1996 debut, Bafana Bafana were on a downward spiral. The following edition in Burkina Faso saw them finish second, with the 2000 edition in Ghana and Nigeria saw them finish third.
Following their three consecutive podium finishes, the Southe Africans struggled on the continent before their impressive showing in Cote d’Ivoire that saw them stun tournament favourites Morocco enroute to a third-place finish.
Fan Zone
Dd you know: South Africa’s only TotalEnergies CAF AFCON title came on debut and on home soil when they lifted the title at Soccer City courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Tunisia.