AFCON 2015 Qualifiers – Bafana Bafana Book Their Ticket to Equatorial Guinea
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana have officially qualified for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sudan in Durban. This emotional win guarantees them a top-two finish in Group A and marks their first AFCON qualification since 2008.
Match Summary: South Africa 2–1 Sudan
⚽ Goals:
Thulani Serero (39’)
Tokelo Rantie (67’)
Salah Ibrahim (76’, Sudan)
📍 Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
🕯️ Tribute: The match carried special emotional weight as it was held in honor of the late Senzo Meyiwa, South Africa’s national team captain and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, who was tragically killed weeks earlier.
Group A Standings (After Matchday 5)
| Team | Points |
|---|---|
| South Africa | 13 |
| Nigeria | 7* |
| Congo | 7* |
| Sudan | 3 |
*Pending results
Qualification Secured
South Africa becomes the fourth team to qualify for AFCON 2015 after Algeria, Cape Verde, and Tunisia.
Their qualification is sealed with one match to spare, a significant achievement under the leadership of coach Shakes Mashaba.
Looking Ahead
The AFCON 2015 finals will take place from January 17 to February 8 in Equatorial Guinea, which stepped in as host after Morocco withdrew.
The draw for the tournament will take place on December 3 in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea.
Conclusion: A Nation Reignited
Bafana Bafana’s resurgence on the continental stage is complete. After years of absence, they now return to the biggest stage in African football — not just to participate, but to compete. The spirit of Senzo Meyiwa lives on in this determined, unified team.
