Since the appointment of Hugo Broos in May of 2021, South Africa have been on a consistent upward trajectory. An impressive display at the last Africa Cup of Nations where Bafana Bafana finished in third place was followed up by qualification to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, the first time South Africa will be back since hosting the competition in 2010.
South Africa cruised in AFCON 2025 qualifying, going unbeaten and scoring 16 goals over 6 matches, joint 2nd best in all of Africa. Of those 16 goals there were 9 different goal scorers, showcasing the depth in scoring that South Africa are capable of. But Hugo Broos will be hoping one of his strikers, particularly Lyle Foster, can catch form at the tournament and carry the goal scoring load. The majority of the Bafana Bafana squad play their club football domestically in the South African Premiership, one of the top leagues in Africa.
This will be Hugo Broos’ last Africa Cup of Nations campaign, as he recently announced he would be retiring from coaching following the World Cup in the summer. Bafana Bafana supporters will feel this iteration of the national team has a real chance of winning the competition, 30 years on from their first and only AFCON title.
Potential Starting XI
Coach
Hugo Broos
At 74 years old, Hugo Broos will be the oldest head coach at this years Africa Cup of Nations. South Africa are experiencing one of the best runs in their history under the Belgian, who won the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon.
Players to Watch
Teboho Mokoena
Age: 28
Position: CM
Caps/Goals: 50/6
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Teboho Mokoena was one of the players of the tournament at AFCON 2023. He’s an all action midfielder who can do a little bit of everything. Mokoena led Bafana Bafana in goals with 3 during Afcon 2025 Qualifying.
Lyle Foster
Age: 25
Position: CF
Caps/Goals: 24/8
Club: Burnley FC (England)
Foster missed the last AFCON for personal reasons, but the Burnley striker is back and looks set to lead the line for Bafana Bafana. One of the most talented players in their squad.
Egypt Schedule
December 22, 2025 vs. Angola – Marrakesh
December 26, 2025 vs. Egypt – Agadir
December 29, 2025 vs. Zimbabwe – Marrakesh
Country Information
Did you know…
South Africa is the only nation on earth that has 3 official capitals. Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial).
