Bafana Bafana centre-back Nkosinathi Sibisi has revealed the ultimate objective behind South Africa’s 2025 AFCON campaign, speaking in the wake of their vital 2-1 opening win against Angola in Morocco.
Lyle Foster’s late winner against Palancas Negras in the Group B tie not only earned Bafana Bafana three valuable points but also eased early pressure.
Naturally, confidence has grown among Hugo Broos‘ players and around the streets of Mzansi. The early victory allowed South Africa to settle into the competition, giving them breathing space ahead of the remaining group matches against Egypt on Friday and neighbours Zimbabwe on the 29th of December.
Sibisi, who has become a key figure in Bafana Bafana camps, admits the squad is balancing calm heads with big ambition. According to the 30-year-old central defender from Durban, the focus remains on taking things one match at a time, but without losing sight of the ultimate goal.
The Orlando Pirates star also reflected on the unity within the group and the importance of setting the right tone early in the tournament. The former Golden Arrows skipper stressed that while the pressure has eased slightly, complacency cannot creep in.
BAFANA BAFANA DEFENDER NKOSINATHI SIBISI: ‘WE WANT TO WIN AFCON FOR OUR PEOPLE’
“Look, for us, we are taking each game as it comes,” Sibisi told SuperSport TV. “You know, we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, but we have the bigger picture in mind. We know our wish is to win the AFCON for our people, for the country, for ourselves, for our families.
“So for us, it’s just to keep on working hard, you know, we have a solid, solid group, you know, the unity in the group, I think it’s what carries us throughout every tournament or every match we play. So for us, it’s just to keep that together, keep on working harder, and you know the results will follow.
“Winning the first match was crucial in setting the tone. That opening victory helps us to avoid the pressure in the second and third matches. For now, we feel a bit relaxed, but we can’t be complacent.
“We are taking the results as they come,” Sibisi concluded.
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