Broos Will Have No Mercy As Bafana Prepare to Face Cameroon

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos admits that Cameroon will always hold a special place in his heart after leading the Indomitable Lions to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 2017, but insists there will be no room for sentiment when the two sides meet at AFCON 2025.

South Africa are set to face Cameroon in the round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, with a place in the quarterfinals up for grabs.

Broos’ historic success with Cameroon remains a cherished memory, but those emotions will be set aside as the Belgian tactician guides Bafana Bafana against his former team in one of the most anticipated knockout clashes of the tournament in Morocco.

“If you win an AFCON with a country, there is always a place in your heart that stays for the rest of your life, and that is the case with Cameroon and me,” said Broos.

“It will always be there. But on Sunday, I can’t have mercy. I want to win the game because I am the coach of South Africa now.”

Meanwhile, midfield general Teboho Mokoena says the squad is highly motivated ahead of the decisive encounter that will determine who advances to the last eight of the continental showpiece.

“Of course, as a team we are excited about the game on Sunday,” said Mokoena, who was named in the AFCON Team of the Tournament at last year’s event in Ivory Coast, where Bafana Bafana claimed a bronze medal.

“The message among the players is that we must do better than we did at the last AFCON. We know it will be a tough match against Cameroon, but we are looking forward to it.”

Bafana Bafana booked their place in the AFCON 2025 last-16 stage after finishing second in Group B behind Egypt, collecting six points from two wins and one defeat.