Bafana Bafana beat Angola 2-1 to open their 2025 AFCON campaign on a positive note, thanks largely to players with Orlando Pirates connections. Next, they face Mohamed Salah and Egypt.
Bafana Bafana meet Egypt next at AFCON 2025
South Africa claimed a 2-1 win over Angola in their AFCON 2025 opener thanks to goals from Orlando Pirates winger Oswin Appollis and ex-Pirates man Lyle Foster. Pirates man Tshepang Moremi also had the ball in the net on 51 minutes, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside. Hugo Broos’ men are next in action against Egypt on Boxing Day, with kickoff at 17:00 SA time. Here are their two remaining group fixtures:
- Friday, 26 December: South Africa vs Egypt – 17:00
- Monday, 29 December: South Africa vs Zimbabwe – 18:00
Full Bafana 2025 AFCON squad
25 players have been called up for AFCON duty, while three remain on standby.
Goalkeepers
- Ronwen Williams – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Sipho Chaine – Orlando Pirates
- Ricardo Goss – Siwelele FC
Defenders
- Khuliso Mudau – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Nkosinathi Sibisi – Pirates
- Khulumani Ndamane – TS Galaxy
- Thabang Matuludi – Polowkane City
- Siyabonga Ngezana –  FCSB
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi – Chicago Fire
- Aubrey Modiba – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Samukelo Kabini – Molde
- Tylon Smith – Queens Park Rangers
Midfielders
- Teboho Mokoena – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Bathusi Aubaas – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Thalente Mbatha – Pirates
- Sphephelo Sithole – Tondela
Forwards
- Oswin Appollis – Orlando Pirates
- Mohau Nkota – Al Ettifaq
- Sipho Mbule – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Relebohile Mofokeng – Orlando Pirates
- Elias Mokwana – Al Khazem
- Shandre Campbell – Club Brugge
- Lyle Foster – Burnley
- Tshepang Moremi – Pirates
- Evidence Makgopa – Pirates
Can Luthuli step into Mabasa’s boots at Orlando Pirates?
Meanwhile, with Mabasa likely to leave after just a single goal from five league appearances this term, the club could promote from within. Pirates boss Ouaddou seems to be happy with his striking options, hinting that he won’t dip into the market for another one, and could promote Sifiso Luthuli from within the youth ranks after an impressive showing and a goal against the Carling All Stars. Pirates could be busy in the January window with several targets identified.
