The prestige of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) beckons for a group of South Africa’s top footballers which includes a hefty representation of Orlando Pirates players who will be on display in the tournament kicking off later this month.
Competitive club football across the continent halts between 21 December 2025 and 18 January 2026, making way for the continental showpiece event.
The tournament will be held in Morocco with Bafana Bafana among the hopefuls for the top prize.
Tried and tested players
In the Bafana Bafana squad that will do duty in the competition, coach Hugo Broos has mainly stuck with his tried and tested players, including a nine-man Bucs contingent that was instrumental in securing a spot in next year’s FIFA World Cup, with a good chunk of the group also responsible for ensuring AFCON qualification a few months prior.
Defender Nkosinathi Sibisi and striker Evidence Makgopa both return to the squad, having been part of the group that secured bronze in the previous edition played in the Ivory Coast.
The duo is joined by new Bucs recruit Oswin Appollis, who was also part of the Class of 2023 prior to joining the Soweto giants.
The rest of the Orlando Pirates representatives in the 25-man squad are goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, the midfield duo of Thalente Mbatha and Sipho Mbule, flanked by Relebohile Mofokeng and Tshepang Moremi.
Swap club colours for national team
All nine were significant cogs in a highly successful year for Bafana Bafana, entering the fray at different stages as they contributed in ensuring South Africa’s return to the World Cup after a 15-year absence.
Set to swap club colours for those of the national team in the coming weeks, they will attempt to build on the success of the previous AFCON edition with an aim to deliver South Africa’s first title since conquering the continent on home soil in 1996.
Bafana Bafana have been drawn in a tough Group B along with record AFCON winners Egypt, neighbours Zimbabwe and Angola.
They kick off their campaign against the Palancas Negras on Monday, 22 December before meeting the Pharaohs on Boxing Day, with the clash against The Warriors concluding their first-round campaign three days later.
Bafana Bafana’s AFCON 2025 Group B fixtures:
All times SA
Monday, 22 December: South Africa vs Angola – 19:00
Friday, 26 December: South Africa vs Egypt – 17:00
Monday, 29 December: South Africa vs Zimbabwe – 18:00
Bafana Bafana AFCON 2025 squad
Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns, captain)
Defenders: Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Samukele Kabini (Molde/NOR), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB/ROM)
Midfielders: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Thalenthe Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem/KSA), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela/POR)
Forwards: Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley/ENG), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq/KSA)
Travelling stand-bys: Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers/ENG), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge/BEL)
Non-travelling stand-bys: Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch), Iqraam Rayners (Sundowns), Mduduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)
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