Former Leeds United captain Lucas Radebe has backed Bafana Bafana to go all the way and win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The 56-year-old retired defender won the tournament with Bafana in 1996 and captained the national team in two World Cups. He feels Hugo Broos’ men have what it takes to emulate the class of 1996.
Under Broos, Bafana reached the semi-finals in the last AFCON, and are going into this year’s edition as outside favourites.
“I think the way the team has been performing, being stable and with the consistency they’ve shown in doing well, plus given that the group of players that we have who have been together for a while now – for me that’s a winning team,” said Radebe.
Bafana to kick off their AFCON campaign on Monday
Radebe feels the fans are expecting Bafana to do better, having bagged bronze last year.
“And I think it brings hope and confidence to the fans that there’s a possibility [to win it]. I mean, after Ivory Coast [AFCON 2023], that raised our hopes and we now expect them to do even better, even [to the extent of] winning it.
“And I mean, you can feel the vibe and the atmosphere with the national team playing and performing. It’s absolutely amazing. The glory days are back in our country,” the ex-Bafana captain added.
Bafana open their AFCON against Angola on Monday. Four days later, they face Egypt before their final group match against Zimbabwe.