Bafana Bafana can be the surprise team at AFCON, says Salomon Kalou

Former Ivory Coast star Salomon Kalou believes Bafana Bafana have what it takes to go all the way at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off in Morocco next month.

Fresh from qualifying for next year’s Fifa World Cup, Bafana Bafana will now shift their focus to the continental stage before heading to the global tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

South Africa impressed in the previous AFCON edition, finishing third after losing to Nigeria in the semi-finals on penalties (4-2) following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Since then, Hugo Broos and his side have shown steady improvement and will be looking to take another step forward, with hopes of arriving at the World Cup as African champions. Kalou feels Bafana have developed considerably in recent years and were unlucky to fall short last time, but he is confident they have what it takes to go all the way this time around.

“I think South Africa is coming back; they are doing very well, and they have qualified for the World Cup. Kalou said.

“They are getting back to the level that they used to show us. We know that football is big here, and there are big clubs with huge programs for youth, and that is how you develop your local football—and South Africa is doing that very well.

“I won’t be surprised to see them continue to do well because in the last AFCON they did very well, and they were one of the surprise teams. I am putting my money on South Africa, and they can be the surprise team at the tournament.”

The former AFCON winner reflected on the significance of the competition and what it meant for him and his teammates during their playing days.

“Participating at AFCON is about representing your nation.

“For us, coming back to represent Cote d’Ivoire was special, and I could see the excitement on Didier (Drogba) and Yaya (Toure) coming back home and wearing that jersey because we wanted to win it for our country.”

The former Chelsea forward also praised the growth of the tournament, highlighting how much it has evolved in recent years, both in quality and global attention, with fewer club-versus-country disputes than in the past.

“Things look a bit different from when I started; a lot of things have improved now,” he continued.

“It even gives African children who didn’t grow up in Africa the desire to come back and play in the competition because of the legends that have participated in it and made it appealing. The level of the game has changed, and African football has also developed as well.”