Ntseki buoyed by Bafana’s progress ahead of CHAN 2025 kick-off

Bafana Bafana head coach Molefi Ntseki has expressed satisfaction with the strides made by his team as preparations continue for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to take place from 2 to 30 August 2025 across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

South Africa will kick off their campaign against Algeria next Friday at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda. With just days remaining before the tournament begins, Ntseki is optimistic about the team’s readiness following a productive week in camp.

The CHAN tournament is unique in that it only features players actively competing in their respective domestic leagues. For Ntseki, that has meant calling on a mix of seasoned professionals and fringe players — including a number of free agents still seeking club contracts ahead of the new season.

Despite this, the former Kaizer Chiefs mentor has been encouraged by the level of commitment shown by the group and believes the blend of youth, hunger, and experience could prove crucial.

Among the notable names in the squad are former Kaizer Chiefs playmaker Keagan Dolly and recently released Sea Robbers striker Zakhele Lepasa — both experienced campaigners who have represented some of South Africa’s biggest clubs and bring invaluable top-flight pedigree to the side.

Bafana have been in camp for a week now, and although most domestic sides are only just wrapping up their pre-season programmes ahead of this weekend’s MTN8 kick-off, Ntseki’s men won’t be far off the pace as their competitive opener edges closer.

On Tuesday, the national side played Angola in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Lucas Moripe Stadium, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The match formed part of their final preparations before departing for East Africa.

Reflecting on the squad’s formation and the challenges faced, Ntseki highlighted the complexities associated with CHAN squad selection.

“It has always been a challenge to select CHAN squads, and this has been the case from our first qualifier against Egypt in March and then the game against Malawi in May,” Ntseki said after the match against Angola.

“But I think the players that were made available for selection are of quality, and they are players who are very proud to be selected and to be part of this team. You can tell from the attitude and the work rate of the players since we started with the qualifiers and again in the game we played today.”

Ntseki also pointed out that having 15 unattached players in the squad is not necessarily a disadvantage. Instead, it may provide an opportunity for those players to put themselves in the shop window.

“We have got 15 players in the team that are unattached, but it is not because of a lack of quality from their side,” he continued.

“There are many other reasons why these players are not attached, and they are good-quality players. They’ve been in the league for more than five and even ten seasons, so you can’t go wrong if you have these types of players as part of the team going into CHAN.

“So, I am very, very impressed and very happy to have this group.”