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Broos warns Bafana of AFCON challenges

The Mercury

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December 12, 2025

IT’S A long way from being nobodies to wearing the crown of title contenders, but Bafana Bafana have made that journey in style.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO-

Their rise is a rags-to-riches tale that few South African football fans could have imagined not so long ago.Belgian coach Hugo Broos has been central to the squad's transformation. Under his guidance, South Africa head to Morocco for the latest edition of the Africa Cup of Nations as potential winners.

Ronwen Williams and his teammates now carry a target on their backs, seen as one of the continent's top football nations.

It is a position a country as well-resourced and brimming with talent should always occupy. Yet, following the dizzy heights of winning the continental tournament nearly 30 years ago and medalling in the next two editions, Bafana fell on hard times, becoming the continent's laughing stock. Enter Broos - an AFCON winner with Cameroon - and everything changed.

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