AFCON 2025: Who are Bafana Bafana’s Round of 16 opponents?

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AFCON 2025: Who are Bafana Bafana’s Round of 16 opponents?

Bafana Bafana finally secured their place in the knockout rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and they will now face an anxious wait to know who they will take on in the Round of 16.

Hugo Broos’ men defeated Zimbabwe in a closely-contested Southern African derby which they won 3-2 but it was a game that left a lot to be desired from them.

Bafana Bafana will need to improve defensively and in midfield if they want to go beyond the Round of 16 at this tournament but it will not be easy as they face the prospect of playing against an African giant who has won the competition multiple times.

Who will Bafana Bafana face next?

Bafana Bafana 4
Image – SAFA

After finishing second in Group B, South Africa will face the runners-up in Group F which has Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Mozambique and Gabon in Rabat on January 4.

Matchday one and two results in Group F already point to an Ivory Coast or Cameroon meeting as the two West African giants are joint top with four points each after winning their opening games 1-0 each before they drew 1-1 in the second.

Meanwhile, Mozambique still have a chance of finishing second or even winning the group as they have three points, following their historic 3-2 victory over Gabon.

Gabon are out of contention for second place with their only hope lying in being one of the third-best teams, if they can win their final group stage match.

SA have good record against Group F rivals

Bafana

South Africa will learn their fate on Wednesday when Group F is finally decided with Ivory Coast taking on Gabon while Cameroon face Mozambique.

If both the Ivorians and Cameroonians avoid defeat, one of them will face Bafana Bafana in the Round of 16, a mouth-watering clash for fans but a nightmare draw for South Africa.

South Africa, however, have an impressive record against Cameroon as in their nine meetings, they have won three, drawn five and lost one, almost similar to their matchups with the Ivorians, an opponent they have played eight times, winning twice, drawing five times and losing once.

Meanwhile, against Mozambique, Bafana Bafana are the bosses, having won eight of their 11 meetings, losing twice while one ended in a draw.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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