Kaizer Chiefs marketing and commercial director Jessica Motaung has issued a heartfelt appeal to South African football fans to unite behind Bafana Bafana as the national team prepares for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Motaung made the call during the FIFA Twinning Programme event held at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre on Wednesday, stressing that national pride must come before club loyalties as Hugo Broos’ side looks to improve on the bronze medal won at the previous AFCON in Ivory Coast.
With preparations intensifying at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria, Bafana Bafana will conclude their build-up with a friendly against Ghana at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday before departing for North Africa. The tournament runs from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
South Africa will begin their Group B campaign against Angola on December 22 at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, followed by a blockbuster clash against Egypt on Boxing Day in Agadir. Their group-stage journey concludes with a derby against Zimbabwe in Marrakech on December 29.
Motaung appeals to Chiefs supporters
Against a backdrop of growing club tribalism on social media, Motaung urged supporters—particularly those from the Kaizer Chiefs faithful—to put aside rivalries and rally behind the national team.
Her message carries added weight given that no Chiefs player was named in the final 25-man AFCON squad, despite several being included in the preliminary list. Only Mduduzi Shabalala has been placed on standby, while the final squad is largely made up of players from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
“We are behind Bafana all the way,” Motaung said. “I’m very excited and very proud of our national team. I encourage the entire nation, especially the Khosi nation, to rally behind the team.
“We want them to do well, and we believe they will make the country proud.”
As Bafana Bafana head to Morocco with renewed belief, Motaung’s message is clear: when it comes to the national team, unity must come first.