Bafana Exit AFCON After Defeat To Cameroon
Bafana Bafana’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign ended in disappointment as they were beaten 2–1 by Cameroon in the round-of-16 clash at Al Medina Stadium on Sunday.
Evidence Makgopa scored a late consolation goal for South Africa in the 88th minute, opening his body to finish clinically from an Aubrey Modiba cross. However, it proved too little, too late as Cameroon booked their place in the quarterfinals, where they will face hosts Morocco on Friday.
Although Cameroon progressed, they were far more clinical than a Bafana Bafana side whose squad selection had raised questions heading into the tournament.
This was the first meeting between the two nations since their famous encounter at the opening match of the 1996 AFCON, when South Africa claimed a 3–0 victory at FNB Stadium on their way to lifting the trophy on home soil.
Interestingly, the fixture also pitted the bronze medallists from the last two AFCON tournaments against each other, with Bafana Bafana finishing third at the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast, while Cameroon claimed bronze in 2022.
Cameroon were boosted by the return of Tolo Nouhou and Bryan Mbeumo, who had been withdrawn before and after halftime during their Group F victory over Mozambique.
The five-time African champions were also facing their former coach Hugo Broos, who now leads Bafana Bafana. Broos guided the Indomitable Lions to AFCON glory in 2017.
Speaking ahead of the match, Broos insisted there would be no mercy against his former side, despite admitting Cameroon would always hold a special place in his heart.
Bafana Bafana started positively in a 3-4-3 formation and took the game to Cameroon in the early stages. Relebohile Mofokeng, making his first start of the tournament, latched onto a precise pass on the edge of the box but fired his effort over the crossbar when well placed.
South Africa thought they had taken the lead when Mofokeng set up Lyle Foster, but the Burnley striker was correctly flagged offside after bending his run.
Despite Bafana creating the better chances, Cameroon struck first in the 37th minute. Junior Tchamadeu reacted quickest to a rebound and tapped in from close range.
The goal shifted momentum in Cameroon’s favour, with Mbeumo becoming more influential in advanced areas as the Indomitable Lions enjoyed greater possession.
Just two minutes into the second half, Mahamadou Nagida delivered a superb cross and Christian Kofane rose unmarked to power home a header past Ronwen Williams for Cameroon’s second goal.
From there, the task became a steep uphill battle for Bafana Bafana.
Samukele Kabini had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit from close range, but Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy produced an outstanding save to deny him.
Broos responded with changes, withdrawing Kabini and Oswin Appollis and introducing Aubrey Modiba and Evidence Makgopa.
Cameroon nearly added a third after launching a swift counter-attack from a corner, but Williams made a fine save to deny Kofane at close range after a run from Bryan Mbeumo.
Despite chasing the game, Bafana Bafana continued to waste opportunities, with Khuliso Mudau left on the ground after failing to connect with another Modiba cross.
There was late drama when Makgopa and Modiba combined to pull one back in the closing minutes, giving South Africa brief hope. Bafana pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but time ran out and their AFCON journey came to an end.
Cameroon now advance to the quarterfinals, joining hosts Morocco, Mali and Senegal in the last eight.
