Orlando Pirates midfielder Sipho Mbule confident about South Africa’s AFCON 2025 title chances

Orlando Pirates midfielder Sipho Mbule has expressed optimism about South Africa winning the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title.

The Bafana Bafana, who secured bronze medal in the last edition are paired in Group B against record winners Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe at the continental showpiece scheduled to take place in Morocco between December 2025 and January 2026.

Speaking after the sides 3-1 win over Zambia, Mbule, who recently returned to the Bafana Bafana squad expressed confidence in the team’s chances of annexing the AFCON 2025 title in the North African country.

“I think now, it’s a matter of going all out because I think we have the players, we have the coach, and we have the team to be able to do so,” Mbule told SABC Sport.

Mbule was a key player in ensuring Bafana win their friendly against Chipolopolo with some neat touches and creativity in midfield.

The Orlando Pirates man said coach Hugo Broos was clear on what they needed to achieve as a group against Zambia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.

“Before this game, the coach told us there’s no friendly, he wants us to prepare for AFCON,” he added.

“He said we must give our all and I think that’s what everybody did today. And I’m very much happy to be back in the national team. Obviously, we want to be great at the AFCON as you saw last AFCON, the gents went through it all and then they came out in third position.”

Having finished third in the previous edition, the Bafana Bafana will be hoping to make a meaningful impact in the 35th edition.

South Africa will open their AFCON account against powerhouse, Egypt on December 26, 2025.