AFCON 2023 bronze medallists, South Africa, are gearing up for their first set of AFCON 2025 qualifiers, commencing tomorrow. Bafana Bafana find themselves in Group K alongside Congo-Brazzaville, South Sudan, and Uganda, with only the top two teams set to qualify for the tournament, scheduled to take place in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. The nation will be hoping the team replicates their heroic performance in Ivory Coast earlier this year.
The squad is currently in camp in Gauteng, with several new faces called up to refresh an ageing side. Newcomers include goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, defenders Roshwin Dortley and Fawaaz Basadien, and midfielder Thalente Mbatha. However, the team will be without captain and Ballon d’Or nominee Ronwen Williams, who is still recovering from a shoulder injury, as well as vice-captain Percy Tau, who has been omitted due to an ongoing dispute with his club, Al Ahly, despite the player denying the claims.
Hugo Broos’ charges will face Uganda tomorrow (6 September 2024) at the Orlando Stadium (kick-off at 18:00) before travelling to South Sudan on Tuesday (10 September 2024). The Gauteng Province Department of Transport and PRASA have arranged free train travel for the public wishing to attend the match, and tickets are still available at various Ticketpro outlets for R30 (children) and R60 (adults).
Photo: Supplied
