Cape Town – With domestic leagues on a Christmas break, attention has shifted firmly to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which gets underway on Sunday, 21 December, with hosts Morocco opening the tournament against Comoros.
This year’s competition is widely viewed as one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.
While traditional heavyweights such as Egypt, Cameroon and Ivory Coast bring pedigree and continental experience, the overall balance across groups suggests there are no clear favourites, reflecting the growing depth and competitiveness of African football.
One of the standout pools is Group F, already being labelled the “group of death”. The group features reigning champions Ivory Coast alongside five-time winners Cameroon, a returning Gabon side packed with experience, and an ambitious Mozambique outfit eager to break new ground.
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Matches in Marrakech and Agadir are expected to deliver high-quality football and tightly contested encounters.
Ivory Coast arrive as defending champions and with renewed confidence after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Under coach Emerse Faé, the Elephants have shown resilience and tactical discipline, relying less on flair and more on efficiency.
Cameroon, meanwhile, enter the tournament amid administrative uncertainty and disappointment after missing out on World Cup qualification, but history suggests they remain dangerous when under pressure.
Gabon return after missing the previous edition, banking on seasoned internationals such as Mario Lemina, although injury concerns around Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could pose early challenges. Mozambique complete the group as motivated underdogs, with steady improvement under veteran coach Chiquinho Conde and a clear ambition to reach the knockout rounds for the first time.
Bafana Bafana open their tournament against Angola on Monday, 22 December, with kick-off scheduled for 7 pm, in what will be an important early test of their AFCON ambitions.
Despite recent off-field issues, Bafana Bafana are viewed as a well-balanced squad, combining experience with emerging talent.
Hugo Broos’ side qualified top of their group for the first time in many years, mirroring their strong World Cup qualification campaign, and signalling progress in the coach’s four-year rebuilding project.
Improved tactical discipline, defensive organisation and consistency in competitive fixtures have led analysts, including former internationals such as Kortjaas, to suggest that South Africa could be capable of a deep run if momentum is maintained.
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Picture: Facebook/Bafana Bafana
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
