South Africa crashed out of the recent 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament after suffering a humbling defeat against Cameroon.
They were rated as 41.00 shots on South Africa’s best betting platforms to lift the trophy and those odds triggered increased activity on the sportsbooks featured on the bettingtop10.co.za comparison platform. However, Bafana Bafana were unable to deliver a winning return to sports bettors.
Punters will now switch their attention to the 2026 World Cup, where South Africa are priced at 2.30 to progress out of Group A. Read on as we assess their chances of making an impact this summer.
Green Shoots Worth Protecting
AFCON 2025 was frustrating for South Africans, but it also had its share of positives. Chief among them was defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
The Chicago Fire star faced Egypt forward Mohamed Salah during the tournament and delivered a sensational performance at the back despite the odds being stacked against him.
He won all eight of his ground duels, four out of six tackles and made three clearances. The Liverpool star was anonymous throughout the game.
Mbokazi also impressed against Zimbabwe, proving his character. He was beaten for the first goal but did not hide. He remained undeterred and kept his concentration for the rest of the game.
That kind of imperious mindset is important in tournament football. His move to Major League Soccer raised eyebrows, but it could prove useful as he prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
Other Bright Spots at AFCON 2025
Burnley striker Lyle Foster carried South Africa’s biggest attacking threat at AFCON, bagging two goals and two assists in four matches.
Foster worked hard, led the press and looked dangerous even when starved of service. Manager Hugo Broos knows he now has a reliable centre-forward and can build around his strengths.
Mamelodi Sundowns full-back pair Khuliso Mudau and Aubrey Modiba also shone on the flanks.
Broos benched Modiba for the Cameroon clash, but his introduction improved things as he provided the assist for Evidence Makgopa late on.
Tshepang Moremi was equally electric out wide, showing several noteworthy glimpses. His burst of pace that turned the tide after half-time against Angola was particularly impressive.
Emerging Talents Need to Improve at the World Cup
While Broos has been praised for his confidence in younger players, there are concerns about whether they are ready to deliver consistently on the world stage.
Mohau Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng entered the tournament brimming with confidence but could not sustain it.
Nkota was good in the build-up but lost confidence as the tournament progressed, while Mofokeng’s indecisiveness was a major flaw in his game. Mofokeng’s missed chance against Cameroon in the round of 16 could have changed the game. They are talented, but the World Cup may be too soon.
Midfield is a major issue for South Africa. Teboho Mokoena and Sphephelo Sithole struggled in the engine room, leaving the team vulnerable to being overrun.
Thalente Mbatha made the balance in the centre worse when he played. It is clear that Broos must find the right combination to get the best from his other players. Bathusi Aubaas, Masindi Nemtajela or Luke le Roux are options.
The Broos Factor and the Wider Disconnect
Broos is still quietly popular and rightly so. He brought belief, demanded standards and has delivered tangible improvements to South Africa.
However, his abrasive honesty can be a problem. He made a meal of Mbokazi’s late arrival, and the continued sparring over Thembinkosi Lorch’s omission was a distraction.
His bluntness can cut through the noise, but it put his players who were not in form under pressure at AFCON. Broos needs to learn to de-escalate matters.
Besides the tactics and personnel, AFCON showed a growing disconnect between club and country. Differing roles at the club and international level have muddied the waters.
Sipho Mbule plays as a central midfielder for Orlando Pirates, but Broos pushed him into the number ten role, where he looked like a fish out of water. Other players thriving at Orlando Pirates also failed to reach the same heights.
Add in late domestic fixtures, disputes over player availability, and public disagreements over call-ups, and the preparation was not ideal.
South African football is crying out for better collaboration between stakeholders. The country has always produced talent, but it needs to get the structure right to enjoy success at the World Cup.
