Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has expressed disappointment at the prospect of the national team failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, especially after their bronze medal finish at the 2023 AFCON in 24 years.

With two crucial matches remaining, against Uganda and South Sudan, Bafana Bafana is currently second in Group K with eight points. A positive result in either game would secure their place in the tournament.

To optimize their chances, the team will charter a flight to Kampala on Thursday for the crucial match against Uganda. This decision underscores the importance of avoiding potential travel disruptions and ensuring the team arrives in top condition.

“We are aware of the two games in front of us and after those two games, its finished,” said Broos. 

“So, being the bronze medalists of the last AFCON and looking at the opponents in the group, I have the respect for them, but they are not the biggest teams in the Africa. 

“I think it would be a shame if we couldn’t qualify for the AFCON. We need three or two points to have security, we can also write a little bit of history by qualifying two times in a row and I think, I don’t know, it’s a long time ago that has happened with Bafana Bafana, but it should be a nice achievement. 

“And we can end the fantastic 2024 year on a good way, having started it very well with the bronze medal.”  

Bafana was given a scare by Uganda in the first match of the AFCON qualifiers in September, seeing the East African country take a shock lead in the second half after goalkeeper Veli Mothwa spilled an easy catch and went in. Bafana was without inspirational captain Ronwen Williams due to an injury.  

The team’s recent form has been mixed, with a narrow victory over South Sudan following a shaky performance against Uganda. However, Broos is optimistic about the return of key players like Siyabonga Ngezana, Thulani Mbatha, and Mothobi Mvala, who missed the previous qualifiers due to injuries.

“We will try to qualify in the first game,” said Broos. 

“It will not be easy because we are playing against an opponent that has already qualified for the AFCON (Uganda) with confidence. I think they played good qualifiers and they are playing at home. 

“Already in the past, we succeeded in winning difficult games and we know we can do it because we have quality in our group. In Congo, it was not our best game and we have some players back that we didn’t have in Congo (last month) – Ngezana, Mvala, and Mbatha – and these players were not there and now they are in this group.  

“I think we can do more now with those guys back in the group.”