Broos and Williams issue rallying cry ahead of AFCON opener

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos and captain Ronwen Williams have issued a rallying cry ahead of South Africa’s opening Group stage clash against Angola, insisting the squad is primed to “make a big step” toward the knockout rounds.

The South African senior men’s national team is currently counting down the hours to their AFCON tournament opener at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Monday, 22 December 2025. After weeks of preparation, Broos is confident that his side has reached the necessary level to secure a vital three points.

“We are very happy that we can start this tournament,” Broos told reporters. “We all know that we will face a tough opponent in Angola, but I think that my team is ready. It is very important that we win that first game. You take a big step toward survival in the group stages with a win, and we want to put ourselves in a strong position before facing Egypt.”

The “Full House” Effect For AFCON

Captain Ronwen Williams echoed his coach’s optimism, noting that the atmosphere in camp shifted significantly once the squad reached its full complement. The late arrival of European-based stars Lyle Foster, Shandre Campbell, and Yaya Sithole has provided a visible boost to the team’s morale and technical quality.

“Once we were complete, you could see the mood was much better, training was much better—the team spirit, everything just improved,” Williams said. “The quality at training has spiked over the last few days. The boys know they are playing at the AFCON now.”

Williams, who has been a pillar of consistency for the national team, emphasised that a positive start is non-negotiable for their Moroccan campaign. “We’ve looked good as a team, and we know how important it is to get the tournament off to a positive start. We can’t wait to get started tomorrow, and we’re looking forward to giving a good account of ourselves.”

Match Details For AFCON

Fixture: Bafana Bafana vs. Angola

Venue: Grand Stade de Marrakech, Morocco

Date: Monday, 22 December 2025

Kick-off: 18:00 local time (19:00 SAST)

Bafana Bafana will be looking to channel the momentum of their previous bronze-medal finish as they step onto the pitch in Marrakech to begin what they hope will be a historic run.