The dismay and fallout of Bafana Bafana at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is still very topical on social media and various corridors across the country, as their display at the biggest stage of continental football left more questions than answers, which coach Hugo Broos will have to respond to at some point.
And one of those questions that the Belgian grey head will have to answer to the nation or even to the SA Football Association head honchos is: “Where did it go wrong for Bafana Bafana in Morocco?”
Because, judging by the performances since the group stages until the Round of 16, where they were eliminated by Cameroon, the team was just not jelling and never looked comfortable in all four matches that they played.
Even worse, Bafana did not look anything like the side that made history and clinched an Afcon bronze medal in the Ivory Coast two years ago.
Back then, Bafana were fluid and organised, took their chances, oozed confidence against top players, and showed hunger and fighting spirit from the onset until the end, when they lost in the semi-finals on penalties against Nigeria.
However, this time around, the team’s display was the total opposite of what the world and continent witnessed in the Ivory Coast.
They were shaky at the back, looked scared, were disorganised in all departments, and were not clinical enough in front of goals.
The game against Egypt was probably the worst, and one that they will look back on and think, “how the hell did they not win that game” with the several chances that they
created, especially playing against 10 men for the entire second half.
So, maybe, just maybe, it was the team selection and the change of personnel in the team that caused instability, and obviously, some of the big calls made by the coach in some of the games may have had an impact on how the team ended their Afcon campaign.
So, with the team now back on home soil, having landed at the OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, Broos and his technical team will, as promised, reflect and conduct a thorough evaluation of what went wrong in Morocco.
Because answers need to be found and a solution needs to be presented, as the next five months will be vital, with the 2026 Fifa World Cup in the Americas.
Some of the answers could be certain players who did not make it to the Afcon squad due to various reasons but can be looked to as solutions heading to the World Cup.
Thapelo Morena
The Mamelodi Sundowns utility player was part of the 2023 Afcon squad that helped Bafana claim a podium finish in 24 years. He has speed, is dynamic, and has goals in his game as well.
Grant Kekana
Another player who played a key role in Bafana’s heroics in the Ivory Coast is Kekana. His omission from the Afcon squad raised a lot of questions, but could he be the answer for the World Cup?
Themba Zwane
The absence and void left by Themba Zwane in the heart of Bafana’s midfield was felt this time around at the Afcon, as there was not much creativity in the team.
Broos will hope that his talisman will be fully fit come June for the World Cup
Other players that could add some value and that Broos may want to consider are the likes of Iqraam Rayners and Kaizer duo of Thabiso Monyane and Rushwin Dortley, as the
defence remains the biggest talking point and a position to be bolstered.
You have a real gift for explaining things.