Almost thirty years have passed since Bafana Bafana stood on top of Africa, lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy at FNB Stadium in 1996. For many South Africans, that moment exists somewhere between memory and myth, a golden era that today’s generation has only heard about from parents, coaches and grainy highlight reels.
Now, after their emotional bronze finish in the Ivory Coast earlier this year, the conversation has shifted. The question hanging in the air is simple: can this team go one step further and bring that trophy home again?
In Pretoria, where Bafana are locked into their final preparation camp, that question feels louder than ever
A Nation Watching Closely As Bafana Enter Final Stretch
Hugo Broos has gathered his squad for the most important camp of their careers. This week in Pretoria is not just about fitness drills or tactical notes on whiteboards. It is about sharpening minds, building trust and tuning a team that carries the hopes of millions into a tournament that begins on December 21 in Morocco.
The squad reflects a healthy blend of maturity and momentum. Senior figures anchor the team’s identity, while a hungry new wave drives its ambition. With the country’s football culture buzzing again after the recent AFCON run, expectations are no longer whispers. They are national conversations.
Williams Calls For Killer Mindset
As captain, Ronwen Williams continues to be the emotional centre of the squad. Speaking to SABC Sport, he didn’t sugar-coat the reality.
He acknowledged that Bafana want more than bronze this time. They want a title. But so does everyone else.
“Everyone believes they can win it now,” he said, pointing out that hosts Morocco will be under pressure not to disappoint their fans, and that every team arrives with ambition.
Williams stressed that South Africa can no longer pretend to be underdogs. Not after beating giants like Morocco and Nigeria in the past two years. Not after returning from AFCON 2023 with a medal.
“We have a target on our back now,” he warned. “Last time no one noticed us, but this time everyone wants to beat us.”
His message to the squad was clear: double the effort, lean on the experience gained in the last tournament, and approach every match with what he called a killer mindset. No complacency. No shortcuts. No excuses.
Ghana Friendly To Reveal True Readiness
Before flying to Morocco, Bafana face Ghana on December 16 in what is expected to be a fierce and revealing warm up. Even though the Black Stars are sending their locally based Galaxies squad, the fixture retains competitive value because Ghanaian teams always bring intensity and tactical discipline.
For Broos, the match is an opportunity to tighten combinations and identify areas still needing polish. For South Africans, it offers the last glimpse of where Bafana stand before the real battles begin.
The camp concludes on December 17, after which the team departs for Morocco with momentum, belief and the weight of a nation on their shoulders.
AFCON Group B: No Easy Road For South Africa
Once Bafana land in North Africa, the reality of tournament football sets in quickly.
Their opening match is against Angola on December 22, a fixture that will shape the rhythm of the entire campaign. A win sets the tone. Anything less invites early pressure.
Then comes a December 26 showdown with Egypt, one of the most decorated sides in AFCON history. For South Africans, the fixture revives old memories of classic clashes between the nations, from the days of Mark Fish and Lucas Radebe to more recent battles shaped by Percy Tau’s generation.
Their last group match on December 29 against Zimbabwe could be the decider. The neighbourly rivalry always brings extra fire, and depending on earlier results, Bafana’s entire AFCON journey could hang on that night.
Can Bafana Rewrite Their Place In History?
As the countdown continues, the energy in the country is shifting from hope to expectation. Bafana are no longer the overlooked side of years past. They have earned respect, built character and shown resilience.
But respect brings pressure, and pressure is exactly what Williams is urging his teammates to embrace.
If this squad truly wants to echo 1996, they will need focus, grit and that killer instinct their captain keeps talking about.
For South Africans, the dream is simple: come back happy. Come back with something to celebrate. Come back with a story that inspires the next generation.
And maybe, just maybe, come back as champions of Africa again.
Source: Goal ZA
Featured Image Source: Unplayable ZA on X
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