South Africa among favorites to win 2025 AFCON title – Ghana coach Kasim Mingle

Black Galaxies head coach Kasim Mingle has tipped South Africa’s Bafana Bafana as strong contenders for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title following their narrow victory over Ghana.

Ghana suffered a 1-0 defeat to the hosts on Tuesday at the Dobsonville Stadium, but Mingle was encouraged by his team’s display, especially given the limited preparation time ahead of the friendly.

“It’s a very good performance from our boys. We have only three weeks to come here, and they put up a very good performance,” he told SABC Sport.

“I’m happy for them and the way they played. Having only three weeks in camp and coming to play against Bafana Bafana, so I’m satisfied with what I’ve seen.

“It’s a new team that were are building, a young team. We should have equalised, So I’m satisfied with the performance.”

The former Bechem United and Nations FC coach revealed that his side approached the match with detailed preparation, studying South Africa’s style of play to limit their threat.

“They are very solid, very tactical. We watched some of their clips and we were able to block some of their moves, that’s why they couldn’t play. We were expecting a higher performance from them, but we neutralised their tactics.

“We blocked the way they play, free-flowing to the wings. The goal they scored was a gifted goal from a our mistake. Bafana is a very strong team.”

Mingle believes that strength could see Hugo Broos’ men mount a serious challenge at the continental showpiece.

“I’m sure they are one of the contenders of the AFCON, so I think they can do better at AFCON.”

South Africa have been drawn in Group B of the 2025 AFCON alongside Egypt, Zimbabwe and Angola.