AfriPulse
Bafana Bafana kick off their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon 2025) run against Angola on Monday, 22 December at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco.
Hugo Broos‘ side will be one of the teams to watch after finishing third in the Ivory Coast at Afcon 2024 with a win over DR Congo in the bronze match.
The upcoming edition has thrown South Africa in Group B, alongside familiar Southern African rivals Angola and Zimbabwe, and continental heavyweights Egypt, Africa’s most decorated nation with a record seven titles.
Following an awful performance in the warm-up match against Ghana on Tuesday at the Dobsonville Stadium, the 1996 champions have four days to prepare for three games in seven days.
Two games against Angola and Zimbabwe will be played in the West of Morocco in Marrakesh, as well as a trip to the southern coast in Agadir to face Egypt.
WHAT TIME ARE BAFANA BAFANA’S AFCON GROUP MATCHES?
MONDAY 22 DECEMBER
South Africa vs Angola
Kick off: 19:00.
FRIDAY 26 DECEMBER
Egypt vs South Africa
Kick off: 17:00.
MONDAY 29 DECEMBER
Zimbabwe vs South Africa
Kick off: 18:00.
SOUTH AFRICA’S FULL AFCON 2025 SQUAD
So coach Hugo Broos has named his 25-man Bafana Bafana squad on 1 December following an initial 54-man preliminary list.
And there are always notable absentees. Mamelodi Sundowns talisman Themba Zwane has missed out after not fully regaining match sharpness following a lengthy injury.
On a brighter note, youngsters Tylon Smith and Shandre Campbell have been included in the final squad and could be in line for their Bafana Bafana debuts at Afcon 2025.
Goalkeepers
Ronwen Williams – Mamelodi Sundowns
Sipho Chaine – Orlando Pirates
Ricardo Goss – Siwelele FC
Defenders
Khuliso Mudau – Mamelodi Sundowns
Nkosinathi Sibisi – Orlando Pirates
Khulumani Ndamane – TS Galaxy
Thabang Matuludi – Polowkane City
Siyabonga Ngezana – FCSB (Romania)
Mbekezeli Mbokazi – Orlando Pirates
Aubrey Modiba – Mamelodi Sundowns
Samukelo Kabini – Molde (Norway)
Tylon Smith – Queens Park Rangers (England)
MIDFIELDERS
Teboho Mokoena – Mamelodi Sundowns
Bathusi Aubaas – Mamelodi Sundowns
Thalente Mbatha – Orlando Pirates
Sphephelo Sithole – CD Tondela (Portugal)
Forwards
Oswin Appollis – Orlando Pirates
Mohau Nkota – Al-Ettifaq (Saudi Arabia)
Sipho Mbule – Mamelodi Sundowns
Relebohile Mofokeng – Orlando Pirates
Elias Mokwana – Al-Khazem (Saudi Arabia)
Shandre Campbell – Club Brugge (Belgium)
Lyle Foster – Burnley (England)
Tshepang Moremi – Orlando Pirates
Evidence Makgopa – Orlando Pirates.
Additionally, three players have been placed on standby to train in Mzansi in case of injuries:
Iqraam Rayners – Mamelodi Sundowns
Mduduzi Shabalala – Kaizer Chiefs
Thabo Moloisane – Stellenbosch FC.
LIST OF BAFANA BAFANA PLAYERS DROPPED FROM THE FINAL SQUAD:
Brandon Petersen – Kaizer Chiefs
Renaldo Leaner – Sekhukhune United
Darren Johnson – AmaZulu FC
Fezile Gcaba – Durban City
Fawaaz Basadien – Stellenbosch FC
Bradley Cross – Kaizer Chiefs
Thabiso Monyane – Kaizer Chiefs
Luke Le Roux – Portsmouth (England)
Ime Okon – Hannover 96 (Germany)
Iqraam Rayners – Mamelodi Sundowns
Themba Zwane – Mamelodi Sundow
Source: The South African | Read the Full Story…
