Cape Town – Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos anticipates an intense Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, starting with Monday’s Group B opener against Angola at Marrakech Stadium (7pm SA time).
The 73-year-old Belgian, coaching his third AFCON, won the title with Cameroon in 2017 and secured third place with South Africa in 2023.
He thrives in tournament football and plans to retire after this event and the 2026 World Cup.
Despite pre-tournament challenges like racism and sexism allegations (which Broos denies) and late arrivals of Europe-based players Lyle Foster, Shandre Campbell, and Sphephelo Sithole due to FIFA rules, the squad is now fully fit and motivated.
Broos emphasised the electric atmosphere of such tournaments and the need for a strong start, unlike their 2023 opening loss to Mali—especially with group favorites Egypt up next on Boxing Day.
Bafana have wrapped up preparations for Afcon opener against Angola.
WATCH coach Hugo Broos’ press conference ➡️➡️➡️https://t.co/GTyLVM7h7I pic.twitter.com/aqOXn31Oiy
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) December 21, 2025
“For every player and coach, tournaments like the World Cup and AFCON are something big and you are super-motivated to qualify,” said Broos during a pre-match press conference on Sunday.
“For me the biggest experience I have is that these tournaments are so intense, because all the countries want to prove themself to the world. There is a lot of interest and as a sportsman you like to play at this level.
“The atmosphere is something you dream to be a part of. It is something that makes you happy.”
Bafana enter unbeaten in 26 matches since that Mali defeat.
👨🏽🦳 Hugo Broos
“It will be tough to win this Afcon” #BetwayXMazola ⚫️ pic.twitter.com/hLAA5b1HAh
— Mazola J. Molefe (@superjourno) December 22, 2025
Broos expects to field a similar lineup to their World Cup qualifiers, avoiding rotations typical of friendlies like their recent Ghana win, while noting the physical demands ahead.
“Surely [I have an idea of how the team will set up], we did the analysis of the opponents in the past weeks. I have an idea but as you know the team won’t be changed a lot if you compare it with the previous matches.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
