Bafana Bafana kick off their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon 2025) run against Angola on Monday, 22 December at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco.
Hugo Broos‘ side will be one of the teams to watch after finishing third in the Ivory Coast at Afcon 2024 with a win over DR Congo in the bronze match.
The upcoming edition has thrown South Africa in Group B, alongside familiar Southern African rivals Angola and Zimbabwe, and continental heavyweights Egypt, Africa’s most decorated nation with a record seven titles.
Following an awful performance in the warm-up match against Ghana on Tuesday at the Dobsonville Stadium, the 1996 champions have four days to prepare for three games in seven days.
Two games against Angola and Zimbabwe will be played in the West of Morocco in Marrakesh, as well as a trip to the southern coast in Agadir to face Egypt.
WHAT TIME ARE BAFANA BAFANA’S AFCON GROUP MATCHES?
MONDAY 22 DECEMBER
South Africa vs Angola
Kick off: 19:00.
FRIDAY 26 DECEMBER
Egypt vs South Africa
Kick off: 17:00.
MONDAY 29 DECEMBER
Zimbabwe vs South Africa
Kick off: 18:00.
SOUTH AFRICA’S FULL AFCON 2025 SQUAD
So coach Hugo Broos has named his 25-man Bafana Bafana squad on 1 December following an initial 54-man preliminary list.
And there are always notable absentees. Mamelodi Sundowns talisman Themba Zwane has missed out after not fully regaining match sharpness following a lengthy injury.
On a brighter note, youngsters Tylon Smith and Shandre Campbell have been included in the final squad and could be in line for their Bafana Bafana debuts at Afcon 2025.
Goalkeepers
- Ronwen Williams – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Sipho Chaine – Orlando Pirates
- Ricardo Goss – Siwelele FC
Defenders
- Khuliso Mudau – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Nkosinathi Sibisi – Orlando Pirates
- Khulumani Ndamane – TS Galaxy
- Thabang Matuludi – Polowkane City
- Siyabonga Ngezana – FCSB (Romania)
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi – Orlando Pirates
- Aubrey Modiba – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Samukelo Kabini – Molde (Norway)
- Tylon Smith – Queens Park Rangers (England)
MIDFIELDERS
- Teboho Mokoena – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Bathusi Aubaas – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Thalente Mbatha – Orlando Pirates
- Sphephelo Sithole – CD Tondela (Portugal)
Forwards
- Oswin Appollis – Orlando Pirates
- Mohau Nkota – Al-Ettifaq (Saudi Arabia)
- Sipho Mbule – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Relebohile Mofokeng – Orlando Pirates
- Elias Mokwana – Al-Khazem (Saudi Arabia)
- Shandre Campbell – Club Brugge (Belgium)
- Lyle Foster – Burnley (England)
- Tshepang Moremi – Orlando Pirates
- Evidence Makgopa – Orlando Pirates.
Additionally, three players have been placed on standby to train in Mzansi in case of injuries:
- Iqraam Rayners – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Mduduzi Shabalala – Kaizer Chiefs
- Thabo Moloisane – Stellenbosch FC.
LIST OF BAFANA BAFANA PLAYERS DROPPED FROM THE FINAL SQUAD:
- Brandon Petersen – Kaizer Chiefs
- Renaldo Leaner – Sekhukhune United
- Darren Johnson – AmaZulu FC
- Fezile Gcaba – Durban City
- Fawaaz Basadien – Stellenbosch FC
- Bradley Cross – Kaizer Chiefs
- Thabiso Monyane – Kaizer Chiefs
- Luke Le Roux – Portsmouth (England)
- Ime Okon – Hannover 96 (Germany)
- Iqraam Rayners – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Themba Zwane – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Keegan Allan – AmaZulu FC
- Vuyo Letlapa – Sekhukhune United
- Malibongwe Khoza – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Thapelo Morena – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Siphesihle Mkhize – Sekhukhune United
- Siphesihle Maduna – TS Galaxy
- Ndamulelo Maphangule – Polokwane City
- Masindi Nemtajela – Orlando Pirates
- Kamogelo Sebelebele – Orlando Pirates
- Mduduzi Shabalala – Kaizer Chiefs
- Mihlali Mayambela – Aris Limassol (Cyprus)
- Ashley Cupido – Stellenbosch FC
- Keletso Makgalwa – Sekhukhune United
- Bongokuhle Hlongwane – Minnesota United (USA)
- Puso Dithejane – TS Galaxy.