Broos Stresses Importance Of Opening Win Against Angola
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has assured that his side is focused on putting itself in a strong position at the Africa Cup of Nations, stressing that winning the opening match is of paramount importance.
Bafana Bafana will kick off their 2025 AFCON campaign against Angola in Marrakech on Monday under mounting pressure, as they look to win their opening group-stage match for the first time in 21 years.
The 1996 AFCON champions have not won their first match at the biennial tournament since the 2004 edition, when they defeated Benin 2–0, thanks to a brace from Siyabonga Nomvethe.
Since then, South Africa has failed to win their opening group-stage fixture in the past six AFCON tournaments – 2006, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2019, and including the last edition, where they lost 2–0 to Mali in the Ivory Coast last year.
As Broos prepares for his 50th match in charge of Bafana Bafana, the 2017 AFCON-winning coach expressed confidence and motivation ahead of the Group B opener against Angola.
“We are very happy that we can start this tournament and play our first game,” said Broos. “We all know that we will face a tough opponent in Angola, but I think my team is ready.
“It is very important that we win the first game. A victory gives you a big step towards qualification or surviving the group stages. So again, we will try to win and put ourselves in a good position for the second game against Egypt.”
Following their clash with Angola, Bafana Bafana will take on Egypt in their second Group B fixture on Boxing Day in Agadir. Their final group match will be played on December 29 against Zimbabwe, a team that nearly derailed South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes by holding them to a draw in October.
Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana remain 61st in the latest FIFA World Rankings, which were released on Monday. The next FIFA rankings will be published on 19 January 2026, a day after the AFCON final in Morocco, when changes are expected following the conclusion of the tournament.
