AFCON round-of-16 exit: Who stood out for South Africa?

Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign came to an abrupt end in the round of 16, offering moments of promise alongside clear areas for growth.

While Hugo Broos’ side showed resilience and flashes of quality against Africa’s elite, inconsistency across the pitch ultimately proved costly.

As South Africa reflect on their early exit, some players emerged with credit, while others saw the tournament as a missed opportunity to make their mark. Here, we rate those who saw a decent amount of minutes on the field.

Ronwen Williams – 5/10

Reliable on the goal line, the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper could do little as six goals were conceded across the tournament, many through no fault of his own. More than just a shot-stopper, Williams played a key leadership role, helping marshal a new defensive partnership while leading the side as captain.

Aubrey Modiba – 5/10

Modiba delivered a steady campaign, with his energy down the left flank fitting well into Broos’ system during the opening matches. Decent both defensively and in attack, he was solid in the minutes he was afforded in the tournament.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi – 6/10

Continuing his rise, Mbokazi showed signs of becoming a defender South Africa can increasingly rely on. Playing every minute of the tournament, he handled the demands well and will take valuable lessons from testing himself against top-level opposition.

Siyabonga Ngezana – 5/10

Returning to the starting line-up after missing the closing World Cup qualifiers, Ngezana partnered Mbokazi in central defence. While he showed commitment, there were moments where he struggled to cope with the intensity and demands of certain matches.

Khuliso Mudau – 6.5/10

Strong and consistent, Mudau once again underlined why he is regarded as one of the continent’s top defenders. His one-on-one defending stood out, including a testing battles against the likes of Mohamed Salah, while his attacking contributions also added value.

Teboho Mokoena – 6/10

Amid mixed performances around him, Mokoena remained a pillar of consistency in midfield. Disciplined and hardworking, he fulfilled his duties in both defensive and attacking phases, delivering the kind of performances expected of him.

Sphephelo Sithole – 4/10

Capable of controlling matches on his day, Sithole endured a difficult tournament. With Bafana struggling for midfield authority, particularly in the final group match, he was often guilty of surrendering possession cheaply, disrupting any rhythm South Africa hoped to establish.

Bathusi Aubaas – 5/10

Primarily used off the bench, Aubaas provided a noticeable impact when called upon. His start against Cameroon in the last 16 brought added control, with his composure on the ball and willingness to dictate play offering stability in midfield.

Oswin Appollis – 6/10

One of Bafana’s main attacking threats, Appollis scored twice and consistently troubled defences. His intelligence in tight spaces, sharp short passing and ability to operate across several attacking roles made him a key outlet throughout the tournament.

Sipho Mbule – 4/10

Entrusted with solving the long-standing number ten dilemma, Mbule endured a subdued AFCON by his standards. While not entirely ineffective, the Orlando Pirates midfielder failed to deliver the creativity and influence he is renowned for.

Tshepang Moremi – 6/10

Moremi did enough to justify the faith placed in him, producing a few encouraging performances and finding the net. His versatility and ability to switch flanks highlighted a valuable option for Broos moving forward.

Lyle Foster – 6/10

Relentless in his work rate, Foster finished the tournament with two goals. Although he missed a few opportunities, his overall contribution went beyond scoring, offering physical presence, pressing and selfless movement in attack.

Relebohile Mofokeng – 5/10

Limited game time hampered Mofokeng’s influence, with his first start coming in the knockout clash against Cameroon. Lacking match sharpness, the Orlando Pirates youngster found it difficult to make a decisive impact.