South Africa's quest for a second Africa Cup of Nations title begins this afternoon as they face Angola in their opening Group B fixture in Marrakech. The match, kicking off at 15:01 GMT on Monday 22 December 2025, marks the start of Bafana Bafana's tournament under the guidance of Belgian manager Hugo Broos.
Building on Past Success
South Africa enter this year's competition with heightened expectations following an impressive performance in the last edition. The team reached the semi-finals and secured third place by defeating DR Congo in the play-off. Their only Afcon triumph came in 1996, but the recent qualification for next summer's World Cup has bolstered belief. South Africa will have the honour of facing co-hosts Mexico in the opening fixture of the 2026 World Cup.
This positive momentum, however, has been slightly clouded by pre-tournament controversy. Manager Broos found himself forced to deny accusations of racism after publicly criticising centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi for arriving late at the team's preparatory camp.
A Crucial Group B Start
Both South Africa and Angola will be desperate for a fast start in a challenging group that also contains Mohamed Salah's Egypt and Zimbabwe. A positive result in Marrakech is seen as essential for either side's hopes of progression to the knockout stages. The tactical battle between the two managers will be a key subplot as the match unfolds.
What to Expect from Bafana Bafana
Under Broos, South Africa have developed a resilient and organised style of play. Their World Cup qualifying campaign demonstrated they can compete with confidence against continental rivals. The team will look to leverage their experience from the last Afcon, where they proved they can navigate the pressures of a major tournament. All eyes will be on how they manage the early tournament nerves and whether the off-field issue involving Mbokazi has any impact on squad harmony.
The stage is set in Marrakech for a fascinating opening encounter. With live updates from the match provided below, fans can follow every moment as South Africa's Africa Cup of Nations journey gets underway.
