Hugo Broos Explains Why Bafana Bafana Were Knocked Out of AFCON 2025 by Cameroon

• Hugo Broos has explained why Bafana Bafana lost to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
• South Africa were looking forward to securing a place in the quarter-finals to meet the host nation, but failed to get past the 2017 AFCON champions
• The Belgian tactician's comments about Bafana Bafana's defeat against Cameroon trended on social media, with football fans also airing their opinions

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos expressed disappointment, as he felt his team was unlucky not to claw back a result in their Round of 16 clash with Cameroon on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

South Africa had been aiming for a spot in the quarter-finals but fell short, with Junior Tchamadeu and Michel Kofane’s goals sealing a narrow 2-1 loss and ending Broos’ side’s 2025 AFCON journey.

Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa was brought on in the second half and pulled one back for Bafana Bafana in the closing stages of the game, but it was not enough to stop Cameroon from progressing to the next round to face the host nation, Morocco.

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Broos explains why Bafana lost to Cameroon

Broos, during the post-match conference, shared the reason why Bafana Bafana stumbled to a defeat against his former side in the Round of 16 despite playing well in the first half.

The 73-year-old Belgian manager, who was unhappy ahead of the match, lamented the missed opportunities earlier in the game, believing his team still had a chance to secure a draw.

“We started the match strongly and created clear chances. If we had converted one of them, I believe the game could have gone our way,” Broos told SABC Sport after the match.

“I was satisfied with our first-half performance, so we planned to continue that momentum in the second half. But after a few minutes, we conceded the second goal, which was unfortunate, because then we needed two goals to level.

“We had opportunities to score those goals and even earn a draw, but today just wasn’t our day.”

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Reactions to Broos' explanation of Bafana's defeat

The Bafana Bafana head coach's explanation about South Africa's defeat against Cameroon sparked mixed reactions from Mzansi on social media.

Kabelo Ashly Nthekiso shared:

"The fact of the matter is that Coach Hugo Broos has divided the football fraternity in South Africa through his utterances about certain teams. It's not a coincidence that some supporters choose to support every opponent we face; this is not because they are upset that their team players are not selected, but they are revolting against careless utterances by the coach."

Ntokozo Eustace Nzimande commented:

"Just imagine you leave players who went to the Club World Cup, including Lorch. This coach is not serious. Next time he must just take Sundowns players and add Apollis, Mbokazi and Moremi, that's it."

Samkelo Dladla said:

"Expecting South Africa to win against Cameroon is like looking for a billionaire in Lesotho and a handsome guy in Nigeria."

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Gerby Darlington wrote:

"Hugo Broos' downfall was his pride; Sibisi and Kabini, at this stage of the competition, he should blame himself."

Kryzee Tsekiso added:

"Thank you, Coach Hugo Broos, you've done so much under a draining environment and its emotional citizens.... if I were you, I'd have sworn at them a long time ago and left .... You are the man✊ in the country where everyone self-appointed as a victim of any success."

Ex-Sundowns star makes bold statement on Bafana

Briefly News also reported that a former Mamelodi Sundowns player made a bold statement about Bafana Bafana ahead of their game against Cameroon at the 2025 AFCON.

The Cameroon legend is also looking forward to seeing South Africa take on his native country in the Round of 16.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News