The anticipation surrounding Bafana Bafana’s group for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals is intensifying as the draw for the prestigious tournament is now just a week away. With South Africa’s football community eagerly awaiting their team’s fate, the modalities for how the groups will be determined have now been confirmed, providing much-needed clarity ahead of the event. This marks a significant milestone in Bafana Bafana’s journey to the 2025 AFCON, as the team gears up to face some of Africa’s toughest opponents.
The 2025 AFCON, which will be co-hosted by Ivory Coast, is one of the most eagerly awaited tournaments on the continent. Bafana Bafana, who secured their qualification in impressive fashion, are now focused on preparing for what is expected to be a highly competitive tournament. However, before they can start planning for their matches, they must first discover which teams they will face in the group stage.
The AFCON draw will take place next week, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) outlining the procedures for how the teams will be grouped. As is customary in AFCON, the 24 teams that have qualified for the tournament will be divided into six groups, with each group consisting of four teams. The draw is expected to be a tense affair, as teams await to learn whether they will face African heavyweights or less high-profile opponents.
The seedings for the draw have already been determined, based on the latest CAF rankings, which take into account recent performances in AFCON and other continental competitions. The top-ranked teams will be placed in Pot 1, followed by Pot 2, Pot 3, and Pot 4, based on their positions in the rankings. This seeding system aims to create a more balanced distribution of teams, ensuring that the groups are not overloaded with too many high-ranked sides.
Bafana Bafana, ranked in the mid-tier of the CAF rankings, are expected to be placed in Pot 3. This means that they could potentially face one of the top-ranked teams in Pot 1, which includes footballing powerhouses such as Senegal, Morocco, and Egypt. However, they will also be drawn against teams from the lower pots, which could present a more favourable set of fixtures.
While South Africa will be hoping for a favorable draw, the competition in the tournament is fierce. The likes of Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast are all considered to be among the continent’s top teams, and any of them could be in Bafana Bafana’s group. These teams have proven track records in AFCON and are always strong contenders, so drawing one of them would certainly be a challenge.
However, Bafana Bafana could also end up in a group with less formidable teams, which would provide them with a better chance of advancing to the knockout stage. Teams from Pot 3 and Pot 4, which will include nations such as Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali, could present less of a challenge, but there are no guarantees in tournament football. Even the so-called ‘weaker’ teams are capable of causing an upset, especially in the high-pressure environment of AFCON.
Bafana Bafana’s coach, Hugo Broos, has emphasized the importance of being prepared for any scenario. “We must respect every team we draw, regardless of their ranking,” Broos said in a recent interview. “AFCON is always full of surprises, and we will make sure that we are ready for every challenge. Our focus is on playing our best football and ensuring that we are fully prepared, no matter who we face.”
As the draw approaches, Bafana Bafana will be putting the final touches on their preparations for the tournament. The team has been working hard under Broos’ guidance, with a series of friendly matches lined up to ensure they are in peak condition ahead of the competition. There has been a renewed sense of optimism around the team, particularly after their strong qualification campaign, where they showed resilience and a solid team spirit.
Bafana Bafana will be looking to improve on their previous AFCON performances, as they have not won the tournament since 1996, when they triumphed on home soil. Since then, they have often fallen short in the later stages, but with a mix of experienced players and exciting young talent, the current squad has the potential to make a deep run in the tournament.
Broos, who took charge of the team in 2021, has been working to instill a new sense of discipline and tactical awareness into the team. His efforts have already borne fruit, as Bafana Bafana qualified for the 2025 AFCON with a strong campaign, and the hope is that they can continue their upward trajectory into the finals.
“The qualification was an important achievement for us, but now the real work begins,” Broos continued. “We are looking forward to the challenge that AFCON presents, and we are confident that we can perform at a high level.”
The AFCON draw will provide a clearer picture of what lies ahead for Bafana Bafana in Ivory Coast. The group stage matches will be crucial in determining how far the team can go in the tournament, and with a balanced draw, South Africa could find themselves in a good position to advance to the knockout rounds. However, the challenge of facing top African teams will not be easy, and Bafana Bafana will need to be at their best to stand a chance of competing for a place in the latter stages of the competition.
While Bafana Bafana’s group remains to be seen, the draw will provide a sense of direction for the team’s preparations. The next week will be filled with anticipation as fans and analysts alike speculate on the possible outcomes. What is clear, however, is that South Africa’s footballing hopes are high, and Bafana Bafana will be determined to make an impact at the 2025 AFCON, regardless of who they are drawn against.
As the final preparations are made, the eyes of the nation will be on the draw, with fans eager to learn who their team will face in Ivory Coast. The road to AFCON 2025 may soon take shape, but for now, all eyes are on the draw as the next chapter in Bafana Bafana’s journey begins.
