Neil Tovey: ‘We had a similar AFCON group in 1996’

Neil Tovey. Picture by CAF

Bafana Bafana icon Neil Tovey believes the AFCON 2025 group resembles the class of 1996, but warns Angola, Egypt, and Zimbabwe will pose a real test to Hugo Broos’s troops. Nonetheless, he remains confident that the task can be achieved.

Tovey famously captained Bafana Bafana to the AFCON glory on home soil in 1996. He is convinced South Africa will qualify if they win the opening match. The legend says avoiding playing catch-up later in the group will be key.

Mzansi head to Morocco with momentum and higher expectations after their semifinal run at the previous tournament. The dream for a second title begins against Angola in Marrakesh on 22 December at 19h00.

Matchday two will be a crucial clash against Egypt in Agadir on 26 December at 20h00. The group series will conclude with a trip back to Marrakesh to battle Zimbabwe on 29 December at 18h00.

Tovey sees similarities to the past and believes early control of the group will be essential if Bafana are to make a statement in Morocco.

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“I think it is similar to what we had in 1996,” Tovey told FARPost. “The group had Angola and Egypt, [and Cameroon]. So it’s quite similar, maybe that is a good omen.

“It won’t be easy, all three games will test the team’s character, especially after our run at the semifinals in the previous Afcon, but I think South Africa should qualify and should be able to make it out of that group to the next round for sure.

“We know our neighbours, Zimbabwe and Angola; we don’t have any questions on how they play. We meet up in tournaments many times, especially in the COSAFA. We know pretty much what to expect.

Aubrey Modiba stays tight on Tylon Smith during Bafana Bafana’s training at the High Performance Centre in Tshwane. Image: Bafana Bafana’s X page

“Angola are a dangerous opposition, and we meet in the first game, which is very, very crucial for us to win. Zimbabwe raised their game against us in the World Cup qualifiers.

“This is not an easy group. If we want to make an announcement and do something in this tournament, we have to take care of those teams.

“Egypt, we know how they are; they will be very, very tough, but first or second in the group still allows you to progress.

“It’s always about trying to get the job done early, first game against Angola, that’s always the case. Everyone has to take it one game at a time. You don’t want to be playing catch-up,” Tovey concluded.