The two Amakhosi players have been under stern scrutiny for struggling to show up for some games in big moments when it matters the most for the Soweto giants. But they appear to have little backing from their representative who, however, has been seen fighting in the corner of a Buccaneers star who has been finding it difficult at the ongoing AFCON tournament.
With South Africa up for what is a do-or-die clash against Zimbabwe, Broos has revealed the chances of two stars in the squad playing are incredibly limited. South Africa need at least a draw in order to keep their AFCON dream alive, and that means the usual tried and tested will likely get deployed. With eyes keen to see who Broos will line up for the Warriors game, the Belgian has already pointed out the players that are unlikely to play.
The Buccaneers playmaker arrived in Morocco with expectations high on him to step in for Themba Zwane who did not make it to the continental football showpiece. But he is yet to reproduce the form that earned him a place in the national team squad doing duty in North Africa. This comes after the coach’s attempts to identify Zwane’s replacement in Patrick Maswanganyi have so far failed.
The regional rivals are clashing in a high-stakes encounter, each hoping to win and seal a place in the Round of 16. The stakes are even higher for the Warriors, as they need a straight victory to reach the knockout stage, while for Bafana, at least a draw will be enough for them to progress. With just a point needed for the 1996 Champions, coach Hugo Broos is confident his charges will get the job done despite the pressure on their shoulders.
South Africa head into their final Group B match of the 2025 AFCON against Zimbabwe, desperate for a result to seal their passage to the knockout stages.
The crucial match between the two Southern African countries will take place on Monday evening in Marrakesh, with Broos' men needing a draw to qualify for the next round.
South Africa play their final Group B match against the Warriors at Stade de Marrakech on Monday, needing at least a draw to qualify for the Round of 16. Hugo Broos' side will be keen on picking themselves up from the defeat they suffered against Egypt on Friday. They come face-to-face with their stubborn neighbours who almost spoiled their bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The controversial manner in which South Africa lost to the Pharaohs might have sparked a new fierce rivalry between the two teams. The growing grudge between the two teams could be akin to that between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly, who have often crossed paths in the CAF Champions League in recent seasons. That simmering tension has left South Africa's vice-captain keen on another showdown with Hossam Hassan's men.
Months after clashing in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, Bafana and the Warriors are set to face off in another crucial duel. Each need points and should win their last AFCON group match when they will meet on Monday. This game is made even more spicy because the nations are neighbours and rivals in the regional competition, COSAFA, but this time around they clash on a bigger platform and in a game that carries a lot of continental stakes.
In a thrilling encounter between Egypt and South Africa on Friday, drama unfolded as several decisions by the officials drew scrutiny, with one in particular standing out—a penalty that secured the Pharaohs’ 1-0 victory and left the Belgian coach feeling aggrieved.
The Bafana coach has stressed that the young defender is already ripe to test himself in a well-established and developed competition like the leagues in Europe. The experienced tactician was not particularly impressed when the defender completed a move to Major League Soccer just before the AFCON finals began. Giving an example of how Mbokazi played against the Pharaohs, the Belgian insisted his defender needs better competition.
The South African side will be on high alert as they look to fix the lapses that cost them in their last outing, turning their attention to the Warriors on Monday—a side that has repeatedly shown they are tough to break down and never shied away from testing Bafana's resolve in past encounters.
The Premier Soccer League is currently among the best on the African continent, owing to the competitiveness seen and the value. Top and quality players from all over the world have been playing trade in the Mzansi top-flight football, with upcoming players also claiming a piece of the cake thanks to their displays.
A football administrator was killed in an annual tournament held in Limpopo and concluded on Saturday. A coach from the Red Devils was in attendance, where he managed to conduct some football clinics for some clubs and stakeholders in the Province of Limpopo, hoping to see the game in the region improve.
Opinions from prominent football figures continue to pour in following South Africa’s controversial loss to Egypt, a match overshadowed by some contentious decisions in Agadir. Refereeing calls and the inconsistent use of VAR at the tournament remain the dominant talking points, drawing stern scrutiny.
In a drama-filled encounter, the Pharaohs managed a slim victory over South Africa, courtesy of a controversial penalty scored by the Egyptian star. Bafana Bafana had their appeals for a penalty denied later in the game, a decision that brought about more controversy into a high-octane clash. Salah, who scored the penalty that gave Egypt the victory, has opened up about the game.
The contest between South Africa and the Pharaohs was marred by controversy, with the 1996 African champions dominating large spells of the match. However, despite control from Hugo Broos' men, it was the North Africans who emerged with three points as they claimed a 1-0 win.
Hugo Broos' men were unable to stop the Pharaohs on Friday at Adrar Stadium in Agadir in the Group B outing. It wasn't what the supporters expected as they saw their team struggle against the seven-time champions, who played the entire second half with a man less. It put Mzansi in an awkward position ahead of the date with the Warriors.
The continental competition reached new intensity on match day two as Egypt stamped their authority with a decisive performance that secured early qualification to the knockout stages. Meanwhile, Group A delivered its own drama as Chipolopolo and the Islanders battled to a hard-fought stalemate, sharing the spoils in a contest that leaves both sides with everything still to play for.
The second Group B showdown between the Pharaohs and South Africa delivered drama from the first whistle on Friday, December 26. While Egypt’s narrow 1-0 victory dominated the headlines, the match left more questions than answers, with contentious decisions sparking debate and demanding closer inspection long after the final whistle.
Bafana Bafana marched into Stade Adrar for their second Group B showdown, locking horns with the mighty Pharaohs on Friday, December 26. Fresh off a spirited 2-1 triumph over Angola in their opener, the South Africans carried momentum and belief, ready to test their mettle against Egypt in a clash brimming with drama, pride and continental stakes.
The 21-year-old has been recognised just five months after signing for Al Ettifaq from the Buccaneers, underlining the promise he has already shown and hinting at even bigger contributions in the months ahead. The award is a timely reward that could also serve as a major confidence boost at the ongoing AFCON finals, inspiring him to perform at a higher level and emerge as one of the tournament’s standout players.
GOAL gives you the details to follow South Africa's Group B clash with the Pharaohs at Grand Stade D’Agadir on Friday. Both teams won their opening games and will be out to build on that momentum. The winner of this Boxing Day showdown confirms their place in the Round of 16, as the loser might risk early elimination. While both sides might welcome a draw, the two former African champions will be going for the kill to stay safe and that is what ups the stakes.
South Africa
