Bafana Bafana Eye Historic AFCON 2025 Triumph, Bartlett Highlights Key Edge
Former English Premier League striker Shaun Bartlett believes the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations offers Bafana Bafana a “perfect opportunity to rewrite history.” South Africa are competing in Morocco for the first time in 30 years since their 1996 triumph, with Group B featuring regional rivals Zimbabwe and Angola, alongside continental powerhouse Egypt. Bartlett, who was part of the iconic 1996 squad, says the current team has the mentality and preparation needed to navigate a demanding group and make a serious title push.
Bartlett praised head coach Hugo Broos for instilling mental toughness and focus in the squad. Broos, who guided Cameroon to AFCON glory in 2017, has emphasized resilience and preparation, qualities Bartlett sees as crucial for progressing to the later stages. “Any game in any tournament format is difficult, but our players know exactly what it takes to get to a semi-final and also the final hurdle and go all the way,” Bartlett said. He believes the combination of experience, new talent and Broos’ tactical approach positions South Africa well for success.
Set pieces are another area Bartlett highlighted as a potential edge for Bafana. He noted that modern football increasingly relies on variations in dead-ball situations to break down organized defences. “We can improve on our set plays… maybe a variation in that can help us in our games because we can surprise a few teams,” he added. Bartlett emphasized that effectiveness in these scenarios does not require tall players, but rather smart movement and creative planning to free key attackers.
Newer members of the squad are also expected to make a significant impact. Oswin Appollis, who was a peripheral figure at the last AFCON, has established himself as a key player for both Orlando Pirates and the national team. Broos highlighted Appollis’ development in terms of offensive threat, energy, and intelligent movement off the ball. Alongside Appollis, debutants like Mohau Nkota, Relebohile Mofokeng and Mbekezeli Mbokazi are anticipated to add depth and dynamism to the squad.
Bafana Bafana have arrived in Morocco and are now focused on their Group B opener against Angola. Broos has stressed the importance of starting strong to build confidence ahead of their second match against favourites Egypt. “We just have to focus on the next days and certainly try to have a good start… if we don’t win against Angola, then you play with a knife on the throat,” he said. A positive result against Angola would allow South Africa to approach the Egypt game without excessive pressure, setting the tone for a potential historic campaign.
