Bafana Bafana vs Cameroon: South Africa Face Five-Time AFCON Champions in 2025 Last 16 Clash
- Bafana Bafana have been drawn against continental heavyweights Cameroon in a high-profile AFCON 2025 last-16 encounter in Morocco
- The knockout fixture sets up a tense battle between two former African champions, with a quarter-final place on the line
- South Africa’s coaching bench adds intrigue to the tie as familiar history and tournament pressure collide
- Briefly News spoke exclusively to football analyst Brighton Bafana, who looked at what South Africa needs to do, in order to overcame the threat posed by Cameroon
Bafana Bafana have learned their fate at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the completion of the group stage, with South Africa set for a high-stakes Round of 16 clash against five-time African champions Cameroon.
Source: Getty Images
The knockout fixture, scheduled for Sunday, 4 January 2025 in Morocco, will see the 1996 AFCON winners tested against one of the continent’s most decorated sides as a place in the quarter-finals hangs in the balance.
South Africa confirmed their place in the last 16 following a disciplined group stage campaign, where they managed to beat Angola 2-1 and Zimbabwe 3-2, even though they fell to former African champions Egypt. While Cameroon secured progression after edging Mozambique in their final Group F encounter.
The match also carries a compelling narrative on the bench, with Bafana head coach Hugo Broos preparing to face a nation he once guided to continental glory.
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AFCON 2025 Round of 16 opponents confirmed
Cameroon booked their spot in the knockout rounds with a 2-1 victory over Mozambique in Agadir. The Mambas struck first through Geny Catamo in the 23rd minute, but the Indomitable Lions responded swiftly when an own goal by Nene restored parity five minutes later.
Christian Kofane sealed the win shortly after the break, ensuring Cameroon finished strongly and avoided an early exit from the tournament.
Elsewhere in Group F, defending champions Ivory Coast produced a dramatic comeback to defeat Gabon 3-2 in Marrakech. Gabon raced into a two-goal lead through Guelor Kanga and Denis Bouanga, before the Elephants mounted a late response to grab victory in stoppage time.
Those results ultimately set up the South Africa versus Cameroon tie, one of the standout fixtures of the Round of 16.
Source: Getty Images
Hugo Broos reunites with Cameroon
The upcoming encounter marks a reunion for Broos, who coached Cameroon between 2016 and 2017 and led them to their fifth AFCON title in Gabon.
Reflecting on his previous success and his current work with Bafana Bafana, the Belgian coach suggested his South African journey has been more fulfilling than his triumph with the Indomitable Lions.
Broos emphasised that expectations differed significantly between the two roles, noting that Cameroon are perennial contender, while South Africa’s recent resurgence has exceeded many predictions.
However, the 73-year-old has warned that improvement is essential if Bafana are to progress further in the tournament. He highlighted lapses in intensity and concentration during earlier matches, stressing that such mistakes will be punished in the knockout stages.
With Cameroon standing in their path, Broos insisted that South Africa must show greater aggression, sharper focus in duels and sustained control throughout matches.
As Bafana Bafana prepare for one of their toughest tests at AFCON 2025, the clash against Cameroon offers both a measure of progress and an opportunity to announce themselves as genuine contenders on the continental stage.
Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, respected football analyst Brighton Bafana offered a deeper tactical view on the challenges and opportunities South Africa faces against the Indomitable Lions:
Brighton emphasised that Cameroon’s blend of physicality and structured defensive shape will be one of South Africa’s toughest tests at this tournament. He noted that Cameroon's mix of pace on the wings with intelligent pressing was made even more potent by coach David Pague’s emphasis on compactness and transition football. This threatens to disrupt Bafana’s ball progression through midfield.
He pointed out that Bafana’s ability to control the midfield will be decisive. While South Africa’s build‑up play has been functional in the group stages, Brighton analysed that Cameroon’s quick vertical attacks and direct passes could expose gaps if Bafana hesitate or overcommit players forward. In his view, midfielders like Teboho Mokoena must strike a balance between creativity and defensive vigilance to stem the Lions’ thrust.
VAR expert gives verdict on penalty calls
Briefly News also reported that a former FIFA referee and VAR instructor shared details about the penalty incidents in South Africa's defeat against Egypt.
The former FIFA referee explained the rules in a post on his official social media account after the match.
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Source: Briefly News
