Bafana Bafana is draw into group B for AFCON. Image: Leko Madlala shared via X.
(The Post News) South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will face a challenging test in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after being drawn into Group B alongside Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe.
The tournament takes place in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. Under the guidance of coach Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana will open their campaign against Zimbabwe on 22 December in Casablanca, followed by a clash with Angola on 26 December in Casablanca, before rounding off the group stage against Egypt on 30 December in Marrakech.
Group B presents a mixture of experience and ambition. Egypt, led by superstar Mohamed Salah, enters as the favorite, boasting a squad with continental pedigree and a recent record of AFCON success. Angola, meanwhile, comes off a strong performance in the previous edition, reaching the quarterfinals, and will aim to replicate that achievement. Zimbabwe returns to AFCON action after a previous suspension, bringing renewed determination to make an impact.
Broos Expresses Confidence Over Bafana Bafana
Coach Hugo Broos acknowledged the challenges but expressed confidence in his squad’s preparation. He expressed that they know Group B will be competitive, but their focus is on preparation and execution. Broos players are ready, and have shown strategies in place for each opponent in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
South Africa’s group matches are scheduled as follows: December 22, 2025, South Africa vs. Zimbabwe in Casablanca. On December 26, 2025, South Africa vs. Angola at Casablanca, and on December 30, 2025, South Africa vs. Egypt at Marrakech.
The top two teams in each group automatically advance to the knockout stages, alongside the best third-placed teams across all groups. This format ensures that Bafana Bafana have multiple pathways to progress, provided they can secure key results in the group stage. The draw has generated significant excitement among South African fans, though some have raised concerns about the regional clustering of Southern African teams, which could intensify rivalries and pressure.
Broos remains optimistic, as his play against regional rivals is always intense. Dominance against Nigeria revealed optimism and also motivates the team. The new South Africa’s preparation takes into account the style and strengths of each opponent. With just a few months until the tournament kicks off, South Africa will focus on finalizing squad selection, tactical plans, and match fitness to compete against Africa’s best on Moroccan soil.
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