Ntseki’s Joy As Bafana Qualify For The CHAN

Bafana Bafana’s interim coach, Molefi Ntseki, expressed his elation after the team secured qualification for the continental tournament, which will be co-hosted for the first time by three East African nations – Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda – in August 2025.

South Africa has qualified for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) following a 2-0 victory over Malawi at Loftus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Bafana Bafana’s squad faced pressure to win after Malawi arrived in Tshwane with confidence, having won the first leg 1-0 at home in Lilongwe a week prior. However, the South Africans quickly found their rhythm, with Victor Letsoalo opening the scoring in the 12th minute.

Captain Neo Maema secured the qualification with a second goal in the 87th minute, resulting in a 2-1 aggregate victory over the two legs.

“My voice might not be at its best, but I believe that’s from the celebrations after we qualified for the CHAN tournament, which comes after a period of 12 years,” said Ntseki. “This is for the country, for SAFA, and for all the players who were part of the first and second legs against Egypt, the first leg against Malawi, and now this second leg where we emerged victorious and qualified the nation for the CHAN tournament.”

“The most important thing was to assemble all the players we have in camp today, even though the initial group of players we called up couldn’t make it for the first leg against Malawi. Those who reported for camp gave their best, and we managed the game until the 87th minute. Unfortunately, our game management and concentration levels dipped slightly, leading to us conceding from a set-play.”

“But today, I believe we were very resolute in executing our technical plan, and each individual player on the pitch applied themselves excellently. So, we sincerely thank the players, the entire technical team, and SAFA as a whole.”