COSAFA Cup: Khumalo cautious on Bafana Bafana’s semifinal prospects
- Peter Kanjere
- Jun 7
- 1 min read
South Africa's coach at the 2025 COSAFA Cup, Vela Khumalo, described Bafana Bafana's 2-0 win over Zimbabwe on Saturday as a timely boost.
Khumalo, however, insisted that the COSAFA Cup semifinal qualification is not guaranteed.
The Bafana Bafana handler noted that their prospects for a last-four place hinged on the outcome of Group A leaders Mozambique’s last match against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
“This is the boost that we needed, and we are still hopeful. However, we are still saying, ‘if Mozambique wins against Zimbabwe, then what?’ You never know," Khumalo explained.
"What we said to ourselves was that we needed to win our remaining games. It was two now one, we need to win against Mauritius to take our tally to six points, see what happens, and take it from there.”
The Kaizer Chiefs development team coach admitted that their losing start in the group had piled the pressure on them as they are hosting the tournament in Bloemfontein. “For anyone, the moment you join football, it is pressure on its own, so piled up with that we are hosts, we didn’t start well, and we are missing chances that give you pressure…pressure is always there when you play football,” Khumalo added.
With the Mambas leading by a point ahead of second-placed Bafana Bafana, all the leaders need is a point in the final group assignment.
However, this will not be straightforward as Khumalo’s side needs a win to be certain of a semifinal passage. Only group winners will proceed to the semifinals.
