Bafana Bafana’s recent qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) has been met with a blend of celebration and determination as the team, led by head coach Hugo Broos, prepares for their upcoming matches. The South African team secured their place in next year’s tournament without playing their scheduled match against Uganda, thanks to a surprising turn of events in Group K. A dramatic victory by South Sudan over Congo Brazzaville (3-2) on Thursday sealed automatic qualification for both South Africa and Uganda, as they watched the developments unfold from their hotel in Kampala.
Despite this unexpected advancement, Broos has made it clear that Bafana Bafana will not allow complacency to creep into their remaining fixtures. Speaking ahead of their game against Uganda at the Mandela National Stadium, Broos emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum and striving for a top finish in the group. “We want to win the game; we want to win to end top of the group and that means we have to beat Uganda. So (qualifying) does not change anything for us. I hope that it will be a nice game and a good game. It will be a full house, and there will be a lot of atmosphere inside the stadium. This is motivation for the players and let us hope that the best team wins today,” Broos stated.
This determination to continue pushing hard is mirrored by team captain Ronwen Williams. With a year marked by successes, including a bronze medal finish at the 2024 Afcon in Côte d’Ivoire, Williams expressed the squad’s desire to end 2024 on a high note. “We want to finish the year on a positive note. We have had a wonderful year, a successful year, so we want to keep building on that. It is going to be a tough one (against Uganda), we are excited,” he said. Williams also acknowledged the camaraderie within the team, particularly as they play in honor of injured teammates who have contributed to their journey but are unable to participate in these final qualifiers.
Bafana Bafana’s back-to-back Afcon qualifications signify a significant improvement in the team’s performance and consistency under Broos’ leadership. Since taking over the reins, Broos has worked to instill a winning mentality and tactical discipline, which have been evident throughout their qualifying campaign. The team’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with SAFA President Dr. Danny Jordaan extending his congratulations and recognizing the collective effort behind the achievement. “Congratulations to coach Hugo Broos, his technical and support staff, the players and everybody who contributes to the team. This is a magnificent feat to have qualified for the next Afcon in the same year that Bafana Bafana won the bronze medal at the tournament held in Côte d’Ivoire,” Dr. Jordaan noted.
With two games still left to play, including a fixture against South Sudan in Cape Town, Broos and his team are focused on finishing strong. The upcoming matches present an opportunity for Bafana Bafana to not only reinforce their position as group leaders but also build cohesion and confidence as they head into 2025. The coach’s insistence on not letting up, despite having secured qualification, speaks volumes about his commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and resilience.
The journey so far has been a testament to the team’s dedication and growth, and the matches against Uganda and South Sudan will be crucial tests of their consistency and ambition. As the players prepare to take the field, they do so with pride in their accomplishments and a clear vision for the future: to be among Africa’s elite teams when the tournament begins next year.
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