South Africa exited the 2025 AFCON without managing to at least match their third-place finish from the previous edition in Ivory Coast. The 1996 African champions were less convincing this time around and looked a far cry from the side that charmed the continent in their last outing. Their early departure has sparked differing opinions about their Belgian coach and the team’s overall direction ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Football lovers in Mzansi are still reeling from the pain of failing to make the latter stages of the biennial competition ongoing in the North African nation of Morocco after falling to the five-time champions, the Indomitable Lions, in the initial knockout phase round. However, the style of play caught the attention of an experienced tactician.
The 25-year-old lanky forward has earned the trust of his club coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and Bafana Bafana tactician Hugo Broos, becoming a regular figure in both setups. While he is not known for being a prolific goal-scorer, he continues to enjoy consistent game time for both club and country. That has kept him firmly in the spotlight and linked with a potential move from the Premier Soccer League to Europe.
Bafana Bafana's exit from the 2025 AFCON has divided opinion about the team's coach and some former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates stars have sharply criticised the Belgian to the extent of calling for his head. This is despite the 2017 AFCON-winning coach being set to retire from his career in the dugout after the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be staged in North America.
South Africa are fresh from a not-so-satisfying Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) outing in Morocco, where they failed to get past the Round of 16 just two years after finishing third in Ivory Coast. The main focus now is the forthcoming global competition that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
After Bafana Bafana's elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), coach Hugo Broos has been trending in Mzansi. Some have been showing immense support for the veteran tactician, while a section is not satisfied with the exploits in Morocco, where they feel South Africa could have done better.
South Africa's national team failed to deliver the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as the majority of their supporters had anticipated after getting eliminated in the Round of 16 by the five-time champions, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. The preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have now begun.
With the teams strengthening in January for the final push in the season, the Sea Robbers have not been left behind. Already, they have signed a highly rated star who is expected to strengthen the midfield-attacking department. That would mean Sipho Mbule could be redeployed when the season begins after impressive moments for the Soweto giants.
Going to Morocco, Bafana were ambitious and hoped to mount a campaign even better than what they did in Ivory Coast in the last AFCON edition. But that was not the case; despite a spirited fight against Cameroon, the 1996 champions were eliminated. Scenes after the final whistle just showed how the players felt; as the Indomitable Lions celebrated, crestfallen South Africans struggled to understand what happened; some fell to the ground as the strong ones comforted them.
The Belgian tactician insists the national team lacks players who have been exposed to top leagues in Europe as opposed to their opponents on the continent. Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the 73-year-old has hinted Mzansi should not expect miracles unless more of his potential squad play regularly in 'tough' overseas divisions.
We ask the question whether the Belgian tactician is still the right man to lead South Africa to the World Cup? Or has his time at the helm of the national team come to a natural end after a series of questionable decisions around the make up of his squad and the First XI choices he made at the biennial tournament?
The veteran 73-year-old Belgian tactician has been trending since the country's elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday by Cameroon, who will now play Morocco in the quarter-final. A section of South African fans believe the coach has lost it, while some remain optimistic he is the right man at the helm of the Mzansi national team.
Although South Africa's campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations was underwhelming, one of their players has already been linked with a big move. The Masandawana star has been a consistent figure in the national team, and that has helped raise his profile as a player. After winning multiple titles with the Tshwane giants, many believe he is among the players who should venture outside the country now.
After South Africa failed to reach the last eight, several factors have been cited as contributing reasons for the poor showing in Morocco. But Broos has been mainly blamed for his tactics and changes to the line-up. Following the struggle, questions are now raised on whether Bafana will indeed manage to mount a better campaign during the upcoming global showpiece.
It’s no secret that pulling on the jersey of one of the Premier Soccer League's big three clubs is every player’s fast track to bigger dreams, complete with the perks, pressure, and glory that come with those famous badges; however, not everyone survives the ride. Some crash, some thrive. For the 25-year-old Bucs star, it’s been a winning journey, with the move to the Sea Robbers bringing a major boost both on and off the pitch.
The Pirates youngster was among the players who were handed their first AFCON starts, and he ended up struggling against the Indomitable Lions. Broos' tactical strategy has also come into sharp criticism, as many feel that he is responsible for the Round of 16 loss. After ending their campaign in the last four in Ivory Coast, this time around Bafana exited the campaign early, which means they failed to hit their AFCON target.
