Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns target Elias Mokwana eyes Europe. image: SAFA
REVEALED: Bafana Bafana set for Huge benefit from Afcon run!
Bafana Bafana are set to enjoy the benefits of being ranked in the top 10 on the African continent, thanks to their impressive Afcon run!
Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns target Elias Mokwana eyes Europe. image: SAFA
Bafana Bafana are set to be rewarded for their excellent display during the 2023 Afcon in the Ivory Coast.
Against all odds and expectations, Bafana saw themselves finishing with a bronze medal at the continental showpiece.
That brought an end to a rather successful campaign for a Bafana side that left South Africa with little fanfare. Broos’ men started off in a rather shaky and disappointing fashion, losing 2-0 to eventual group winners Mali. They would quickly dust themselves off by beating neighbours Namibia 4-0. They would conclude their group campaign with a 0-0 draw against Tunisia, securing second place.
That didn’t seem to do Bafana Bafana any favours, however, as they were pitted against Morocco. They equipped themselves well against the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalist, winning 2-0. The confidence was high after knocking out the top team in Africa and the tournament. What would be next was a brilliant Ronwen Williams penalty shootout performance to beat Cape Verde.
Unfortunately for Bafana, it would be a penalty shootout that would knock them out next, losing to Nigeria. But at that point, they had already earned hero status back home. That is not all that they earned, however, as they are now set to benefit in the 2025 Afcon qualifiers draw.
Bafana to be seeded for the 2025 Afcon draw
Because Bafana are now a top 10 nation in Africa, they become one of the seeded teams in the draw. This means they will avoid the 12 powerhouses. These are Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Algeria, Mali, Cameroon, Burkina Faso and DR Congo. This should, in theory, make the national team’s path to the next tournament slightly easier.
Can they qualify again?
When the draw does eventually take place, a total of 48 nations will be divided into 12 groups of four. The top two sides will qualify from each group. There will be six games per group with the 2025 Afcon qualifiers set to take place from September to November later this year.
