Khumalo: Bafana must play against the best at 2025 Afcon

Bafana Bafana might not be world beaters yet, but they are in good standing to win the Afcon finals this year, says legend Doctor Khumalo.

Bafana were one of the best teams in the qualifiers for the biennial continental showpiece in Morocco late this year.

They finished top of Group K with an impressive 14-pointer, thanks to an unbeaten run in six games following four wins and two draws.

That run has all but made them one of the favourites to win the title. A feat that would be for the first in close to 30 years having won the 1996 on home soil.

And with the Afcon finals draw set to be held in Rabat, Morocco, tomorrow night, Bafana will be in pot 2 thanks to their top 10 ranking on the continent.

But while most Bafana supporters will want the team to be drawn against weaker nations, Khumalo says they must test themselves against the best from the outset.

“We can’t choose,” Khumalo, who was speaking at an event hosted by Bafana’s sponsor Castle Lager in Braamfontein last week, said

“We must focus on what comes our way. At the end of the day, you’ll only win the trophy after playing the very best.

“In 1996, if we started to play against Cameroon without any fear, then what would stop the boys from playing against Ivory Coast or Nigeria? Bring whatever you bring!”

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Regardless of who Bafana Bafana 🇿🇦 are pitted against in Monday night's draw, former Cameroon international Roger Feutmba reckons they can all the way at #AFCON2025 in Morocco 🤩

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Bafana have been one of the best teams on the continent in the last 12 months, finishing third in the Afcon finals in Ivory Coast last January.

And since then, they’ve attracted scores of supporters at the stadium. Hence, they were able to play some good football, while winning games in the process.

Khumalo argues that it was important for the national team to turn the corner, especially after going through some rough patches as a team.

“They started in a difficult way, and in the wrong path,” Khumalo said. “But they’ve found their footing now, and they are a force to be reckoned with in Africa.

“Support has been there from South Africa, and from all the corners of football from the loving people. It was always there.”

Bafana have drawn huge support across the country given the fact that coach Hugo Broos selects most of his players from the local top-flight without fear or favour.

“The worst scenario is that 60% (the players) are local. I think they’ll go further if we support them and they keep their cool. They are not yet world beaters,” Khumalo said.

“They finished third (in Ivory Coast). This time it is going to be the first position (if we focus on ourselves).”

Khumalo has warned the current crop of players not to get carried away though. Instead, they must continue to serve humble pie like they did in the last Afcon finals.

“We are not yet world beaters. We are just fixing ourselves, and our football stature,” Khumalo reminded the current players.

“I remember in one of the interviews a journalist did from Africa, he said ‘South Africa is in Ivory Coast for a holiday’. How then do you disrespect a country like that?

“I wonder where they are now, and what it is that they are saying about Bafana Bafana. They are not only winning games now but playing beautiful football.

“They are playing what we call ‘Shoe Shine and Piano’. May (its founder) Bra Stan’s (Tshabalala) soul rest in peace. Those boys will make you sweat.”