AFCON 1996 winner Doctor Khumalo has singled out an element that makes Bafana Bafana Africa’s nightmare. South Africa coach Hugo Broos is preparing his side for the 2025 AFCON, to be held in Morocco.
Bafana kick off their Group B campaign against Angola on 22 December in Marrakesh. They then take on Egypt in Agadir before returning to Marrakesh for the final group clash against Zimbabwe.
Following their impressive bronze-medal finish at the 2023 edition in the Ivory Coast, Khumalo believes that if they can stick to the “South African way,” they can go further this time. The Kaizer Chiefs legend is convinced that the distinct South African style of play is the tactical key that frustrates and outwits their continental rivals.
He recognises Bafana’s distinctive ball-rotation method, paired with tactical discipline, as rendering them virtually “unstoppable.”
WHAT MAKES BAFANA BAFANA UNSTOPPABLE
“We’re playing South African football, and we actually… frustrate our opponents,” Khumalo stated, highlighting the combinational play and ball rotation seen at clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. “If you look at [their] combinational play, the rotation of the ball in possession, it frustrates opponents.”
He singled out continental heavyweight Nigeria as a nation that has historically struggled against this fluid style. “One of the countries that I know very well, until today, are frustrated is Nigeria because they are aggressive and all that.”
He pointed to a recent example of Bafana’s possession mastery: “Our players, when they played [against] Zambia, from our goalkeeper to their final third, they had 10 touches without Zambia touching the ball.”
The 1996 hero emphasised the instrumental role of players like midfielder Teboho Mokoena, concluding, “the rotation of the ball and with Mokoena in the middle of the park, very instrumental, this is why Africa will have a problem when it comes to containing South Africa.”
Khumalo insists that Bafana possesses the ‘character’ and tactical framework to build on their AFCON success and potentially reach the final of future tournaments.
“Bafana Bafana were marvellous to watch. I must say that they didn’t disappoint, and in the Ivory Coast, they got third position, but I strongly believe that if they can focus and play the kind of game they enjoy, I think they will go up to the finals,” he concluded.
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