Broos sets AFCON target for Bafana

Bafana Bafana head coach, Hugo Broos, says winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) should be the next step in the national team’s evolution.

His remarks come after Bafana’s historic achievement at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where they reached the knockout stages for the first time before being eliminated by co-hosts Canada in the Round of 32.

Speaking at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday, where the squad received a hero’s welcome, Broos stressed the importance of building on the team’s recent success.

“This is something that has to go on. Because if you miss the next Afcon or World Cup, you go back five years,” said the Belgian.

Bafana Bafana have been drawn in Group D of the 2027 Afcon qualifiers alongside Kenya, Eritrea and Guinea.

The qualifying campaign gets underway in September.

The 2027 AFCON will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July next year.

Bafana Bafana receives a warm welcome from supporters at O.R Tambo International Airport ⚽️🔥🇿🇦#bafanabafana #bafanapride pic.twitter.com/jIiL0hygr6

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) July 2, 2026

Written by: Ntsako Mukhari