1996 AFCON winner Shaun Bartlett has issued a stern message to the Bafana Bafana camp, stressing that discipline is the absolute minimum requirement for any player hoping to compete in the upcoming tournament. South Africa kicks off their 2025 AFCON campaign on 22 December in Marrakesh.
They are drawn in Group B alongside Egypt, Zimbabwe and Angola. While pointedly avoiding direct commentary on Hugo Broos’s recent public dressing-down of defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi for arriving late to camp, Bartlett made it unequivocally clear where the responsibility ultimately rests.
The former Cape Town Spurs coach didn’t mince words, drawing a direct link between a player’s off-field conduct and their on-field performance.
‘RESPECT THE COACH’S RULES’: BARTLETT
“I don’t mess around, that’s the first thing about playing football. If you’re late for a training [session] or a meeting, that’s part of discipline,” Bartlett said.
“And I’ve always said it to players, the way you play your football is the way you live your life, and if you’re going to be careless off the field, that’s the way you’re going to be in a team environment too.”
Bartlett, who played for Charlton Athletic at the height of his career, hammered home the critical role of team respect, particularly on the eve of a major tournament: “So when it comes to discipline and whatever coaches’ rules are, you’ve got to respect that, and I think you’re an individual, but you’re part of a team, and you can’t have ill-discipline before a massive tournament for South Africa, if we want to win it.”
The legendary former striker advocated for far more than just results, insisting that discipline is foundational to the team’s entire philosophy.
“The discipline part is part of a holistic approach in getting football results,” he explained, emphasising that success extends beyond tactical training.
“It’s not just about training and playing, even the mental aspect and nutrition, everything, even strength and conditioning, all go hand-in-hand to get results; it’s not just one thing that will get us winning this AFCON in Morocco.”
Bartlett believes Bafana’s AFCON ambition hinges entirely on every player adhering to the highest standards of professionalism and discipline.
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