Former Premier Soccer League (PSL) coach Wedson Nyirenda is optimistic about Bafana Bafana’s chances of winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy in Morocco. With South Africa drawn in Group B alongside Angola, Zimbabwe, and the renowned Egyptian team, Nyirenda believes that the national team is in a strong position to succeed.
Bafana Bafana previously secured a bronze medal in the last AFCON edition in Ivory Coast, and Nyirenda emphasizes that expectations are high for them to advance even further this year. “South Africa is the biggest hope for Southern African teams at the 2025 AFCON,” he noted. “Having finished third in the last edition, the hopes of every Southern African fan is that this year Bafana Bafana should go a mile ahead and win it.”
Nyirenda highlighted the strong contributions of players from clubs like Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, which play a crucial role in the national squad’s success. He acknowledged that despite Orlando Pirates’ recent exit from the CAF Champions League, their players have proven themselves in domestic leagues, bolstering the national team’s prospects.
The Zambian coach also praised Hugo Broos, the current head coach of Bafana Bafana, for defying critics and achieving impressive results. Nyirenda also mentioned his favorites for the tournament, citing Morocco and Egypt, while naming Angola and DR Congo as potential dark horses.
Bafana Bafana will begin their AFCON campaign against Angola on Monday at 19:00, followed by matches against Egypt and Zimbabwe on December 23 and 29, respectively. With high hopes and solid preparation, the team looks poised to make a significant impact in the tournament.