Cape Town – Bafana Bafana have arrived in Marrakech ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and were set to be at full strength, with European-based players Lyle Foster, Shandre Campbell and Sphephelo Sithole joining the squad on Thursday.
The team endured a long journey via Dubai, a challenge head coach Hugo Broos said highlights the difficulties of travel in Africa.
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“It is a problem in Africa, that travel in Africa is so difficult,” he said during an interview with SABC News at the airport ahead of his side’s departure.
Bafana Bafana have landed in Marrakech, Morocco, ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in the coming days!!! It was a long journey from Johannesburg, but we are here now and raring to go!!#BafanaPride@10bet_ZA @CastleLagerSA @HonorAfrica @SABC_Sport @Shield_ZA pic.twitter.com/mfNTcdcajq
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) December 18, 2025
“This (going via Dubai) is the best solution but it is not good either.”
With limited preparation time due to late player releases by clubs, Broos faces a tight schedule before Bafana’s opening match against Angola on Monday.
Drawing lessons from the last AFCON, where South Africa lost their first game but went on to finish third, Broos stressed the importance of avoiding defeat against Angola to ease pressure in the group.
🇿🇦 South Africa have arrived in Morocco ahead of the 2025 AFCON!
Their journey kicks off on Monday against Angola. ⚽
Can Hugo Broos guide Bafana Bafana to make history and lift the trophy? 🏆
The countdown is on – AFCON 2025 is here!#AFCONwithMicky • #AFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/6pb1vBG5PL
— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) December 18, 2025
While acknowledging the tournament’s unpredictability and toughness, he reaffirmed Bafana Bafana’s ambition to win the title and bring the AFCON trophy back to South Africa for the first time since 1996.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
