‘It’s time they reach finals’: Aaron Mokoena on Bafana ahead AFCON tournament

Bafana Bafana. Photo: Zamani Makautsi/Zakes Photography

Former Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena has expressed his confidence about the national team’s capabilities ahead of the upcoming AFCON tournament, having secured a bronze medal in the last edition of the competition.

The AFCON competition is set to be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, until January 18, 2026. Hugo Broos’ charges are placed in Group B of the AFCON tournament, alongside Egypt, Zimbabwe, and Angola.

Three days ago, Broos has named his preliminary squad for the 2025 AFCON tournament, with the final squad set to be announced in the coming days, as confirmed by SAFA.

Bafana’s first game will be against Angola on December 22, 2025, at the Grand Stade de Marrakech.

Bafana Bafana players during a training session. Photo: Zamani Makautsi/Zakes Photography

AARON MOKOENA ON BAFANA BAFANA’S SUCCESS CHANCES AT THE AFCON TOURNAMENT

Mokoena is very confident that Bafana can go all the way to the finals of the AFCON tournament, having finished in third place in the last tournament held in Ivory Coast in 2023.

“‎I think Bafana Bafana have led us since the previous AFCON tournament. They are going to AFCON now for the second time. They came back with bronze, and now it is about time they actually get to the finals,” said Mokoena during the Clinix Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge media launch at Maponya Mall on Wednesday.

“Hopefully, when they get to the finals, we will follow through with the girls as well. We know our Banyana Banyana have been amazing on the continent; they went to the World Cup as well. But for us, it is about celebrating this year.

“For me, I just want to see the qualities that we have in the country. We have players who are so quick and skillful. Those are two major qualities that we possess in South Africa. Yes, we can talk about strength, but we are playing against other African countries where they may be bigger than us. However, we have speed in our football philosophy, with players who are technically amazing.

‎”‎All our national team divisions qualified for AFCON and FIFA World Cups. So, it’s been a beautiful year. That’s what we need to celebrate. Yes, I know we complain a lot because we are South Africans; we are always about complaining, but why can’t we celebrate 2025 for all the achievements our national teams have accomplished?”