What AFCON Revealed About Bafana — And the Players Left Behind
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has strongly hinted that South Africa’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad will not remain untouched following a frustrating Round of 16 exit in Morocco. The 2–1 defeat to Cameroon, sealed by goals from Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane despite a late reply from Evidence Makgopa, has triggered deep reflection inside the Bafana camp.
Coming off a bronze-medal finish at the previous AFCON in Ivory Coast, expectations were high. Yet while South Africa often dominated possession and territory in Morocco, they again fell short in the decisive moments — a pattern that has reignited debate around selection, balance, and whether certain players have reached their ceiling at international level.
Youth Experimentation Under the Microscope
One of the loudest talking points has been the reliance on untested or fringe youngsters on the biggest stage. The introduction of Yaya Sithole during high-pressure moments drew visible agitation among supporters and pundits alike. Sithole, like several others, struggled to impose himself, raising uncomfortable questions about whether AFCON was the right platform for such experiments.
While Broos has consistently preached patience and long-term planning, the reality of tournament football is unforgiving. AFCON is rarely kind to players still learning the rhythms of international football, and South Africa’s lack of composure in key phases exposed that risk.
Broos Signals Change After AFCON Exit
Speaking after the Cameroon defeat, Broos stopped short of naming individuals but made it clear that change is on the table.
“We will make an evaluation in detail in the next few days, weeks, on what was not good and what was good… because in six months there’s the World Cup and we need to be ready for that.”
The message was unmistakable: sentiment and reputation will not outweigh readiness. With March friendlies and World Cup preparations looming, the next squad could look very different.
The Zwane and Rayners Question: What If?
Few absences were felt more keenly than Themba Zwane. Leaving “Mshishi” at home due to late fitness concerns may have been cautious, but AFCON underlined what he still offers: control between the lines, tempo management, and the imagination to unlock compact defences. Without him, Bafana’s possession often drifted sideways, lacking a true conductor when games tightened.
Up front, a similar argument surrounds Iqraam Rayners. While Lyle Foster worked tirelessly, Bafana lacked variety against physical backlines. Rayners’ sharper movement and aggressive pressing could have offered a different dynamic — something Evidence Makgopa briefly hinted at with his late goal against Cameroon.
The Lorch Debate Refuses to Go Away
Another name that continues to divide opinion is Thembinkosi Lorch. Despite strong form in North Africa with Wydad AC, Lorch remains frozen out of the national team.
Former Bafana goalkeeper Brian Baloyi has suggested the reasons may go beyond football, pointing to alleged off-the-pitch concerns and personality clashes rather than performance. Lorch has featured just once under Broos, back in 2022, and while his international future remains uncertain, many argue his creativity and experience would still elevate the current squad.
Ignored by Bafana, Influential in Europe
Beyond local debates, a growing list of South Africans abroad continue to make decisive impacts while watching Bafana from a distance:
Mihlali Mayambela — instrumental for Aris Limassol, contributing goals and assists in a title-chasing side.
Luther Singh — a regular for AEL Limassol, offering experience and tactical discipline.
Gift Links — excelling in Denmark with AGF Aarhus, delivering goals, assists, and consistency, yet overlooked at AFCON.
These players may not be headline names, but AFCON once again proved that reliability, decision-making, and composure often outweigh raw potential.
Time for a Hard Reset?
The Cameroon defeat felt less like a gulf in quality and more like a missed opportunity. Bafana had the ball, the chances, and long spells of control — but lacked the extra layer of bravery and imagination that defines tournament winners.
As South Africa pivots toward World Cup preparation, Broos faces his biggest call yet: persist with a conservative, youth-heavy evolution, or blend it with proven experience — including “forgotten” names at home and abroad — who can manage pressure moments.
AFCON 2025 may already be over for Bafana Bafana, but its lessons are clear. The next phase demands tougher selection calls, greater attacking ambition, and perhaps a willingness to revisit players once considered surplus. If Broos truly follows through on his hinted overhaul, the coming months could redefine not just the squad — but the identity of South African football heading into the global stage.