Williams Opens Up On Challenges In Bafana Bafana Camp

Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has revealed that the national team camp has not been ideal – having faced several challenges in the build-up to their international friendly against Ghana.

Bafana Bafana are in the final stages of preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco and will face a makeshift Ghana at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday.

The match will be South Africa’s last friendly before the squad departs for Morocco on Wednesday.

The comments come after head coach Hugo Broos expressed frustration last week over Orlando Pirates defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s late arrival to camp, an incident that resulted in remarks directed at the player and his agent.

“It’s been a very strange and weird camp for many reasons,” said Williams, who is set to feature at his third AFCON tournament.

“It’s been difficult to prepare properly because we don’t have the full squad. There have been a few small problems within the team.

“But I’m actually glad those things happened, especially within the group. It gave us the opportunity to sit down together, talk openly, and try to fix the issues we have as a team.

“The camp has been good overall, but we haven’t been at our best. I think once the team settles down this week, things will improve.

“The mood in the camp hasn’t been great, but we will sort it out and continue fighting.”

Williams stressed the importance of unity and support as Bafana Bafana head into the continental showpiece.

“Our main focus now is to get the supporters to rally behind the team,” he added.

“We need their backing. We know how far we’ve come as a group, and we can’t afford to take steps backwards. We need each other, and this time we can only be stronger together.

“We must learn from past mistakes and issues that affected our performances. We want to go into the tournament with a clear mindset and give everything for the country.”