The 2025 CAF Awards ceremony was held on Wednesday in Morocco, with a South African team and footballers being part of the final nominees. The glittering event drew the continent’s finest football personalities under one roof and the strong South African presence might highlight the country's influence and contribution to football on the continent.
There’s no doubt, Mzansi football is on the up. One just needs to take one look at the performances of Bafana Bafana over the last few years. Since Hugo Broos took charge, the national team has improved significantly, and the recent nominations of SA players at the CAF Awards were a testament to that fact.
Tuesday's defeat to the Teranga Lions might have left some Kenya fans and football pundits questioning if the Bafana Bafana legend is the right man for the job he is in. This was after the former FC Porto forward was in charge of the fourth-heaviest defeat ever suffered by the East Africans. The FKF boss was forced to immediately issue a statement apologising for the embarrassing result.
The South Africa legend and former Manchester United coach was humiliated with his East African team against the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions, the Lions of Teranga, in an international outing staged in Turkey. It was a wake-up call for the 48-year-old who is expected to be at the helm when the country host the 2027 biennial competition.
The South African legend is in the headlines for grim reasons after overseeing what is now the worst result of his coaching career. The humbling defeat to the Teranga Lions has intensified scrutiny on him and left the former FC Porto forward facing a massive task of managing and repairing a dented reputation. Also pressing is the need to regain the trust of the Kenyan football public.
There have been many questions regarding a player who is suited to playing behind the strikers and being that creative link South Africa needs following the injury to Themba Zwane. It seems the Belgian tactician has settled for the Orlando Pirates midfielder who has been deployed in that role. The 27-year-old has been on the rise since joining the Soweto giants.
Due to the Mokoena suspension case, FIFA deducted Bafana's three points, putting their World Cup qualification in a very precarious position. However, South Africa eventually qualified despite the sanction coming in September, just before South Africa's final two critical fixtures. The star, who was at the centre of the controversy, has now opened up on how the issue affected him and his family.
The 27-year-old has seemingly managed to focus solely on football after initial disciplinary breaches threatened to cut short his career. The versatile midfielder is currently one of the most important players on coach Abdeslam Ouaddou's squad, as well as the senior South African men's national team under Hugo Broos.
With the three stars, Broos is arguably scratching his head on who he should pick or leave for the upcoming continental finals. The coach has already admitted he is set to make a tough decision that will be painful for the players. With an ambition of doing better than last time out in Ivory Coast, the Belgian must pick the best players at his disposal in order to realise that particular dream.
'Master Chef' has done his thing in several kitchens across the Premier Soccer League, but never really settled anywhere long enough to make a lasting impression. We all know the talent is there, but is the former South Africa youth international able to put in the hard yards to produce the consistent performances needed for club and country in a critical year for South African football?
Lorch has been an outstanding player for Wydad Casablanca, and in the last five games across all competitions alone, he has scored four goals. However, Broos insists he does not see any reason to have Nyoso, as the forward is known, in his squad. Lorch's omission has put Broos under criticism, although some have sided with him.
The Soweto giants played a role in raising awareness on a critical medical issue that reportedly affects around 4.2 million South Africans. The Buccaneers participated in World Diabetes Day, during which assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi also took a moment to brief the media on the upcoming Carling Knockout Cup, set to take place on December 6 against Marumo Gallants.
The South African players are giving their best to stand a chance of competing in Morocco as the senior men's national team features against some top sides in Africa. The Belgian has an idea on who he will consider in his squad but some can still force their way in before the final squad is named in the next couple of weeks.
The Glamour Boys captain has been one of the most important players for the Soweto giants in the ongoing 2025/26 season. They are not only chasing the Premier Soccer League crown, but are also in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup alongside Stellenbosch, who reached the semi-final last season.
The South African men’s senior national team took things to the next level over the past weekend, defeating Zambia 3–1 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in a friendly encounter. Courtesy of goals from Oswin Appolis, Mohau Nkota, and Sphephelo Sithole sealed an impressive outing — a performance that left most of the home crowd happy and eager for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
However, for the man at the helm, there remains room for improvement within the squad he will take to the prestigious competition. This leaves him with a selection dilemma: having to drop some players while entrusting others to rise to the challenge.
The 73-year-old has been vocal about the importance of Mshishi, who, despite his advancing age, has been a key player for the national team. The Belgian is working on his squad for continental and global assignments scheduled for later this year, and the new one before officially retiring and focusing on other things.
The Bafana Bafana coach has previously revealed that he knows approximately 75-80% of his squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco. This means that there are some players who have not been Bafana regulars over the past few months who stand a chance of making the final squad.
Four South African representatives will fly the flag at the 2025 CAF Awards after the Confederation of African Football unveiled its finalists on Sunday, November 16. With places secured across different categories, the announcement highlights the growing influence of South African football on the continental stage and sets the tone for a night of recognition and pride.
Broos has been scratching his head over the injury crisis that has sidelined the Masandawana star. But now, his fears may fade away as he believes the stylish midfielder will offer him what he missed when Zwane is not available. The former Cameroon coach handed the Mzansi star a second chance, and the midfielder has not disappointed.
Expectations were high when the Sea Robbers unveiled the signing of the 25‑year‑old at the start of the 2025/26 season, with many believing he could add fresh energy to the Buccaneers’ attacking midfield. Yet only a few months into his tenure, sections of the Ghost faithful have voiced criticism, questioning his impact and consistency as he works to settle into life at Pirates.
The Amakhosi midfielder has received some backing from a club legend who is strongly convinced that the player has enough quality to deserve a place in the national side. He argues that despite the central midfield being arguably the richest Bafana department in terms of depth, the former Stellenbosch star is international football material. The Soweto giants great insists the national team coach is failing to recognise what is good in a defensive linkman.
The ‘Master Chef’, as the Buccaneers star is fondly known, delivered a masterful display in Bafana Bafana’s 3–1 triumph over Chipolopolo at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, November 15. Pulling the strings in midfield, he supplied two crucial assists and showcased vision, creativity, and influence in a commanding team performance that thrilled an energetic home crowd in Gqeberha.
The Sea Robber was yet again given another start for Bafana Bafana, which is an indication that the coach has developed near total belief in him. With the AFCON finals drawing closer each day, this is good news for the defender who has faced stiff competition at club level. To succeed in AFCON, Broos will need a solid backline, and the larger pool of options means he has the luxury of picking the best.
Mokoena achieved the milestone in South Africa's game against Zambia, and the coach has taken some credit for that. The midfielder's achievement came months after his suspension cost Bafana three points in World Cup qualifiers. And given how central he is to Broos' plans, Mokoena is expected to get as many caps as possible so long as the Belgian is in charge.
While other AFCON-bound teams have taken advantage of the current FIFA international break to play two friendly matches, South Africa opted to schedule only one. This might be seen as missing out on valuable match sharpness. However, the team will have an opportunity for more friendlies just before the continental tournament kicks off. That period could be crucial for the Belgian coach to further fine-tune combinations. The quality of opposition in the final preparation may determine how competitive the 1996 African champions will be at the continental showpiece.
The competition for places in the national side has gained steam as the 2025 AFCON finals draw closer. The coach is finding it increasingly difficult to satisfy everyone, with every squad announcement sparking fierce debate. High-performing players like Shandre Campbell, Thembinkosi Lorch, Siyabonga Ngezana, Grant Kekana and Gift Links have all been mentioned among those unlucky to be left out. It all underlines the immense pressure on the Belgian tactician who faces stern scrutiny with every choice he makes.
South Africa
