#Bafana_Fridays | Bafana Bafana ready to prove their AFCON pedigree, says Hugo Broos

Bafana Bafana will head into the AFCON finals in Morocco next month as one of the favourites - not the whipping boys of the past - and coach Hugo Broos says they are ready to live up to that tag.

Bafana arrived at the last continental showpiece, which was held in Ivory Coast, merely regarded as participants. But they rewrote the script as they earned a podium finish - third place - for the first time in more than two decades.

They have since built on that foundation over the past few months. They qualified for the upcoming continental showpiece without a loss, finishing top of their group.

Bafana restored the nation’s pride by qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup after finishing top of their group, shrugging off competition from rivals Nigeria, who could only secure a runners-up finish to qualify for the play-offs.

Having forged camaraderie and a never-say-die fighting spirit, Broos has revealed that he’ll keep the bulk of the current squad for the upcoming continental showpiece in Morocco.

That should augur well for the team’s aspirations, as Broos knows that they’ll be one of the teams to beat at the event, given their trajectory over the last two years.

“We have a good team. We have confidence. It will be tougher than two years ago because our opponents will start the game differently,” Broos said. “We are not the South African team of two years ago - everybody knows that South Africa is a good team.

“We saw what happened in the last two months. We played in Ivory Coast, we played in Algeria, and against Nigeria. We did well. So, we know what our status is against the big teams.

“But yes, the opponents will be motivated to win against us now, and that’s another statement we need to make. But I think my team will be able to do that. So, with luck on our side, we’ll be able to achieve what we did two years ago or even better.”

Bafana are leaving no stone unturned to ensure they are ready for the continental showpiece. They’ll face Zambia in an international friendly at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium next Saturday (6 pm, kick-off) as part of their preparations.

And that’s not all. Bafana will assemble for camp at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria on December 8 and will play another friendly before flying out to Morocco nine days later.

While they seem to have their ducks in a row in terms of planning, Broos has stressed that they’ll underestimate other nations in the event at their own peril.

“But I said it in the last AFCON, and I’ll repeat it now: don’t underestimate any team at AFCON. Every side is a tough opponent, and the tournament is very intense. Sometimes, you need a little bit of luck,” Broos said.

“We had it in some games. Think about the game against Cape Verde. We could have lost that one. In tournaments, you need a bit of luck. If all that is present, I think we can achieve what we did two years ago.”

Football is fickle at the top, and therefore the unpredictable could unfold — and Bafana might fail to achieve a podium finish like last time in Ivory Coast. But Broos knows there will be many unhappy faces back home if they stumble in the tournament.

“No South African will be happy if we come home after the group stages or if we do not reach the semi-final,” Broos said. “We have done it before, so we have to do at least as well as last time - minimum. And we’ll see where we end.”

Full Squad for the Zambia friendly:

Goalkeepers:

Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine 

Defenders:

Khuliso Mudau, Thabang Matuludi, Thabo Moloisane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khulumani Ndamane, Aubrey Modiba, Samukelo Kabini, Mbekezeli Mbokazi

Midfielders:

Teboho Mokoena, Masindi Nemtajela, Bathusi Aubaas, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole, Sipho Mbule

Forwards:

Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Lyle Foster, Keletso Makgalwa