#18. South Africa 🇿🇦
Population: 62, 027,503
Nickname: Bafana Bafana
Appearances: 11th
Last Appearance: 2019
Coach: Hugo Brooks (Belgium)
Best AFCON results: Winners (1996)
Skipper: Rotation
Player to watch: Percy Tau
Region: COSAFA
CAF Rankings: 12
FIFA Rankings: 66
Most Caps: Aaron Mokoena (107)
Top Scorer: Benni McCarthy (31)
South Africa lost just one game in 2023 as Hugo Brooks nearly had an entire calendar year unbeaten. South Africa recorded an impressive 1-1 draw at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan against Ivory Coast in a friendly game and that result shows how dangerous they can be on any day.
In the qualifiers for the 2023 AFCON, Bafana Bafana finished second to Morocco and even won 2-1 at home against the Atlas Lions. This result was something special for Hugo Brooks and his men.
South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers won 2-1 at home to Benin and surprisingly lost 2-0 to Botswana.
Percy Tau has been able to revive his career at Al Ahly and he will be a huge threat to opponents. The Mamelodi Sundowns’ contingents will provide a huge threat to every opponent as they are extremely good. Lyle Foster has been able to recover from his injury at Burnley and Hugo Brooks will expect him to partner Tau upfront.
The Core of the Team
Ronwen Williams is one of the best keepers on the continent and he will be expected to be Bafana Bafana’s number 1
Mudau, Modiba, and Xulu will be the main men in South Africa’s defence.
Sithole and Mokoena will provide the link between the defence and the forwards.
Tau, Zwane and Foster will lead Bafana Bafana’s attack.
Probable Lineup
4-2-3-1
Williams
Mudau, Xulu, Mvala, Modiba
Sithole, Mokoena
Tau, Zwane, Hlongwane
Foster
Notable Legends
Neil Tovey, Lucas Radebe, Benni McCarthy, Patrick Ntsoelengoe, Itumeleng Khune, Doctor Khumalo, Shaun Bartlet, Steve Piennar, Mark Fish, Phil Masinga, Siphiwe Tsabalala, Aaron Mokoena
Expectations: Quarter-finals
Fixtures
•Mali v South Africa
•South Africa v Namibia
•South Africa v Tunisia
