Bafana Bafana have qualified for the last 16 stage of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) but they were far from their best in the group stage and there is concern around some players who are yet to hit top form.
With defending champions Ivory Coast or Cameroon their next opponents in the next round on Sunday in Rabat, coach Hugo Broos has raised his concern over how Bafana have failed to control their three group matches and asked his players to up the tempo and be aggressive.
The good thing for Broos and his technical team is they have almost a week on the training ground in Morocco before the next match on Sunday to ensure they are better.
Afcon Talking Points: Bafana coach Hugo Broos asks players to be more aggressive. pic.twitter.com/5Goj8059qk
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) December 30, 2025
Their 3-2 win against Zimbabwe in Marrakesh on Monday saw South Africa end second in Group B on six points to Egypt’s seven, with Angola on two and Zimbabwe in last place on one.
South Africa meet the second-placed team in Group F, where Cameroon and Ivory Coast have four points apiece and Mozambique three.
The group completes on Wednesday night when Gabon meet Ivory Coast and Mozambique clash against Cameroon (both 9pm).
Watch as Mahlatse Mphahlele breaks down these issues.
• Catch Mahlatse’s Daily Afcon Talking Point every day as he covers the 2025 Nations Cup for Arena Holdings from Morocco.
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