South Africa is out of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 tournament
Bafana Bafana fans were hoping for a deep run at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, but their journey stopped short in the knockout stages.
South Africa finished second in Group B with six points, thanks to solid wins over Angola (2-1) and Zimbabwe (3-2), despite a narrow 1-0 loss to Egypt.
Advancing to the round of 16 gave supporters real optimism. However, in a tightly contested clash against Cameroon, in Rabat, Bafana fell 2-1. Goals from Cameroon’s attackers proved decisive, even as South Africa pushed hard and created chances.
Coach Hugo Broos’ young squad showed flashes of promise but couldn’t convert enough opportunities or hold firm defensively in key moments.
This exit means South Africa remains without an AFCON title since their historic 1996 win on home soil, now marking nearly 30 years of waiting.
The result has sparked calls for reflection on structural issues in South African football and what needs fixing ahead of future competitions, including World Cup qualifiers.
While the tournament continues with powerhouses like Senegal and hosts Morocco battling it out, Bafana’s early knockout serves as a reminder of how fine the margins are at Africa’s premier competition.
Supporters will hope the experience fuels growth for the next challenge.
