Mngqithi weighs in on Bafana Bafana’s AFCON prospects

Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi has weighed in on Bafana Bafana’s prospects ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, offering a strong message of support and commendation to mentor Hugo Broos and his squad.

The highly anticipated tournament kicks off on Sunday, December 21st, and South Africa finds itself placed in Group B alongside continental heavyweights Egypt, regional rivals Zimbabwe, and Angola.

Broos’s men are set to open their campaign against Angola on Monday, December 22nd, at the Grand Stade de Marrakech. Key fixtures against Egypt (December 26th, Adrar Stadium) and Zimbabwe (December 29th, Grand Stade de Marrakech) will follow as Bafana Bafana seeks passage to the knockout stages.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY MATCH

⚽️ South Africa 🇿🇦 vs 🇬🇭 Ghana
🏟 Dobsonville Stadium
📅 Tuesday, 16 December 2025
⏰️ 16h00
🎟 https://t.co/t4v2sefWxw #BafanaPride@10bet_ZA @CastleLagerSA @Shield_ZA @HonorAfrica @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/5xxp3JD88J

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) December 14, 2025

Coming off an impressive third-place finish in the previous AFCON edition in Ivory Coast, expectations are high for the national team. Many analysts consider South Africa a dark horse or even a favourite, given their recent form and consistency under Broos.

The team is scheduled for one final tune-up, a friendly clash against Ghana at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday, December 16th, before they jet off to North Africa the following day.

Mngqithi Commends AFCON Selection And Broos

Speaking shortly after the Carling Cup exhibition match this past weekend in Durban, Mngqithi was vocal in his praise for the national team’s trajectory and the personnel chosen for the continental showpiece.

“We must always root for this team because it has done so well over the past few years,” stated Mngqithi. “They have been playing good football, I must say, also congratulations to coach Broos for taking the team there. It’s the second time in a row, and that’s something for me.”

The veteran coach specifically highlighted the desire for the team to surpass their recent bronze medal achievement at AFCON.

“We can only wish that after getting a bronze, you always want to climb the ladder and even jump silver sometimes to go straight to Gold. I wish them all the best, and I believe they selected a very good team.”

Mngqithi’s remarks underscore the belief within the South African football fraternity that the current Bafana Bafana setup is capable of deep progress in Morocco. Broos will be relying on this collective national goodwill as they chase AFCON glory.