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January 5, 2026 | Rabat, Morocco / Pretoria — Dalena Reporters
South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, suffered an early exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on January 4, 2026, following a 2–1 defeat to Cameroon in the round of 16 in Rabat. In the immediate aftermath of the loss, head coach Hugo Broos dismissed notions of regression and emphatically pivoted his attention to preparations for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, underscoring the team’s long-term competitive ambitions.
The veteran Belgian tactician, who has led South Africa through an impressive qualification campaign and secured their first World Cup berth since hosting the 2010 tournament, rejected suggestions that Saturday’s performance marked a downward trajectory for his side. Broos acknowledged that “fortune had not favoured his team” against the Indomitable Lions but maintained that Bafana Bafana “are not going backwards”, even as he pledged a meticulous review of their AFCON tournament showing to inform future improvements.
Broos outlined a clear timeline and strategy as South Africa turns its sights toward the 2026 World Cup finals in North America, beginning in June. With group stage opponents scheduled to include co-hosts Mexico alongside South Korea and a European play-off winner the coach emphasised the importance of building momentum through friendly fixtures slated for March 2026 as part of comprehensive preparations for the global stage.
The AFCON campaign, which ended earlier than many supporters had hoped given South Africa’s third-place finish at the last edition in Ivory Coast, has prompted Broos and his technical staff to undertake a detailed evaluation of tactical approaches and squad dynamics. The head coach noted that while performances varied throughout the tournament, the team’s return to world football’s premier competition remains a historic and motivating achievement.
Broos’ forward-looking stance reflects an overarching commitment to strengthened cohesion and strategic adjustments as Bafana Bafana aims to make a significant impact on football’s biggest stage. The World Cup campaign presents a pivotal moment for South African football and marks a defining chapter in Broos’ tenure as one of the nation’s most influential coaches.