Mkhalele Confident as Bafana Bafana Face Tough AFCON 2025 Challenge

BY: Samkelo Gambushe

Bafana Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele admits that South Africa has been drawn into a challenging group for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to be hosted in Morocco.

South Africa will compete against African football giants Egypt, who have won the tournament a record seven times. The last encounter between the two teams in AFCON history saw Bafana famously defeat the Pharaohs 1-0 in the 2019 quarter-finals in Cairo, with Tembinkosi Lorch scoring the decisive goal.

“We know that since we were drawn with Egypt, they will try to settle the scores from 2019. However, what happened in 2019 is history. As I mentioned earlier, it is important for us to focus on improving the team. The more we improve, the better our chances,” said Mkhalele.

At the last AFCON in 2023, South Africa secured a third-place finish after beating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties following a goalless draw. The victory ensured that Bafana claimed the bronze medal for the first time since 2000.

Looking ahead to AFCON 2025, Mkhalele emphasizes that the team’s goal is to go all the way and lift the trophy.

“Our goal is to progress to the knockout stages and ultimately win the trophy. However, our main focus is ensuring the team performs better than in previous AFCON tournaments.”

South Africa’s Group B also includes Angola and Zimbabwe, adding to the competition’s intensity. The tournament will kick off with hosts Morocco facing Comoros on December 21.