Bafana Bafana begin their AFCON 2025 campaign on Monday night with a tricky Group B opener against Angola in Marrakech, in what promises to be one of the tournament’s more finely balanced first-round fixtures.
South Africa arrive with quiet momentum. Hugo Broos’ side are unbeaten in nine matches across qualifiers and friendlies and carry confidence from their third-place finish at AFCON 2023. Built around defensive structure and control, Bafana have shown an ability to manage tight games, a trait that could prove decisive in a demanding group that also includes Egypt and Zimbabwe.
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Angola, however, bring recent history firmly into the contest. The Palancas Negras have beaten South Africa in six straight meetings, including a dominant COSAFA Cup final win earlier this year. Their rise has been steady rather than spectacular, underlined by an unbeaten AFCON qualifying campaign and a quarter-final run at the last tournament.
Team news points to continuity for Broos, with Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena and Lyle Foster expected to anchor the side, while Angola lean on athleticism and counter-attacking pace in wide areas.
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With both teams favouring control over risk, the opener shapes as a cagey, tactical affair where fine margins — rather than fireworks — are likely to decide the outcome.
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
