AFCON 2025: Bafana Bafana Group B rivals suffer massive blow

Bafana Bafana’s rivals at the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Angola have suffered a massive blow after one of their key players was ruled out due to injury.

South Africa will begin their AFCON campaign against Angola on December 22 but the Palancas Negras will not have forward Zini Salvador, who has suffered an injury, which will keep him out for up to six weeks.

Salvador sustained the injury during a Europa Conference League match while playing for his Greek club AEK Athens against Turkish side Samsunspor on Thursday.

Angola coach Patrice Beaumelle confirmed the injury of the forward while confirming that he had received another setback as his efforts to replace Salvador with Fabio Abreu failed after the latter turned down his approach.

How crucial has Salvador been for Angola?

The 23-year-old striker has played 10 games for AEK Athens this season, scoring two goals while providing one assist, while he has nine goals in 33 games for Angola.

Salvador was set to play his second AFCON after making the squad for the 2023 edition where he played a key part as Angola reached the quarter-finals.

He was crucial in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, when he scored two goals in four matches, but he has had to deal with injuries in recent months with a muscle problem also keeping him out for a few weeks in October.

Bafana Bafana could profit from the absence of the striker when the two sides clash as they look for a fine start to their tournament.