The government has congratulated Bafana Bafana on their hard-fought 2–1 win against Angola in the opening Group B match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, played in Marrakech, Morocco. The victory has been hailed as a strong start to South Africa’s AFCON campaign.
Acting government spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa stated that the performance reflects the resilience, discipline, and fighting spirit that have come to define the national team. “The match showcased the growing competitiveness of African football and highlighted Bafana Bafana’s determination to compete with confidence and purpose,” said Mnukwa. She added that the government wishes the team continued success in their remaining Group B fixtures and throughout the tournament, calling on South Africans to unite behind the squad as they pursue further victories at AFCON 2025.
The opening round of matches also saw seven-time champions Egypt edge Zimbabwe 2–1, while Mali and Zambia played to a 1–1 draw, setting up a competitive group.
Despite the win, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos believes there is room for improvement. He expressed disappointment with the team’s first-half performance, particularly after conceding the equaliser. “I wasn’t pleased with the game we played in the first half. Just the moment we made it 1–0, then we fell asleep,” said Broos.
He noted that adjustments made during halftime paid off, with the team showing greater intensity and movement after the break. “In the second half, we put more pressure, there was more movement in the team, and we had chances; this is what I want,” he added.
The focus now shifts to building consistency as Bafana Bafana prepare for their remaining group matches.
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Photo: X/@BafanaBafana
