AFCON: South Africa vs Angola: Preview, team news, time and where to watch

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AFCON: South Africa vs Angola: Preview, team news, time and where to watch

South Africa are set to open their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign against Angola on Monday, December 22.

Bafana Bafana are coming into the match aware that a win will put them in a good position to make it out of Group B that is also made up of the seven-time champions Egypt, and Zimbabwe.

It will also be a massive game for Angola who have, of late, been doing quite well in recent games.

Recent Form and Head-to-Head to Record

According to CAF records, this is the 20th meeting between the nations. South Africa have nine wins, Angola four, with six of the previous 19 matches ending in draws.

Their last meeting came on 15 June 2025 in the COSAFA Cup final, where Angola won 3–0.

Angola are unbeaten in their last six matches against South Africa, winning three and drawing three.

South Africa’s last victory over Angola came in the second leg of a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying second-round match on 17 November 2015, a 1–0 win.

This will be the third time the nations open an AFCON finals against each other, having also met on matchday one in 1998 and 2008.

This is their first meeting at AFCON in North Africa. They previously met twice with South Africa as hosts (1996 and 2013), while their other two clashes took place in West Africa.

Angola are the second nation South Africa will face for a fifth time at AFCON, along with Morocco.

This will be the fifth meeting between South Africa and Angola at AFCON finals.

Across their previous four meetings, Bafana Bafana have recorded two wins, with the other two matches ending in draws.

All four previous AFCON clashes between the sides have come in the group stages.

On the four occasions when the teams were drawn together in the same group, only one progressed to the knockout stages each time — South Africa in 1996, 1998 and 2013, and Angola in 2008.

What They Said

“The AFCON group is not bad, but a little bit tricky with a team like Angola. Two months ago, I didn’t know so much about Angola, but once a draw was there, I looked at them; they are not a bad team. Their players play abroad also,.

“You can judge now what we can expect, and they are our first game. In a tournament like this, it’s very important to win your first game.

“You saw in the previous AFCON, we lost against Mali, and it was the knife here [in the neck] against Namibia in the second match. We will try to avoid that because our second game is Egypt. So, that’s a tough game; if that’s the game that you have to win, it becomes difficult. 

“So, this is something we must avoid. Then there’s Zimbabwe. Again, the first game is very important – Hugo Broos.

Team News and Starting XI

Coach Broos opted against including the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch of Wydad Casablanca and Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen despite their form.

He, however, included youngsters like Tylon Smith and Shandre Campbell to get international experience.

“Despite expectations, seasoned figures including Bastos, Gilberto and Andrade were not included in the final list. Their omissions underline coach Patrice Beaumelle’s confidence in a revamped, more dynamic squad heading into Morocco.

“The French coach has opted for a balanced group that blends experienced internationals with emerging talents, reinforcing his ambition to go beyond the quarter-final stage for the first time in the country’s history,” CAF reported.

Bafana Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates).

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB), Samukelo Kabini (Molde FK), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates).

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Siphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela).

Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (El Ettafaq), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnely FC), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates).

Angola Squad:

Goalkeepers: Neblu, Hugo Marques, Dominique

Defenders: Rui Modesto, Eddie Afonso, To Carneiro, Nurio Fortuna, Pedro Bondo, David Carmo, Buatu, Gaspar, Clinton Mata

Midfielders: Beni Mukendi, Show, Fredy, Maestro, Kelliano, Mário Balburdia

Forwards: Zito Luvumbo, Manuel Benson, Milson, Chico Banza, Gelson Dala, Randy Nteka, Ary Papel, Mabululu, Mbala Nzola, Zine

When and Where to Watch

The game will be played at the Marrakesh Stadium on Monday from 19.00 SAT. SuperSport United and SABC will broadcast the matches LIVE.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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