AFCON: South Africa vs Cameroon – Top 5 thing we learned

Bafana Bafana fans were left frustrated as their team fell out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) race.

Cameroon, who have won the competition five times, capitalised on their chances to emerge 2-1 victors. It wasn’t the result that South Africans had anticipated owing to the quality their team had.

But where did it go wrong? Have a look at the five things that were exposed after the Round of 16 outing on Sunday night.

Broos not brave after all

Bafana Bafana starting 11 vs Cameroon

AFCON: Last 16#BafanaPride@10bet_ZA @CastleLagerSA @HonorAfrica @Shield_ZA @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/7nfPnNEpaN

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) January 4, 2026

South Africans expected their team to go all guns blazing against the Indomitable Lions owing to the attacking talent in their disposal. The chemistry between the players in the final third has been good, which was going to be their strength on Sunday night.

When it came to starting his best XI, Hugo Broos employed a defensive approach which ended up backfiring. Imagine having Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Siyabonga Ngezana, Khuliso Mudau, Nkosinathi Sibisi, and Samukele Kabini in the starting team. It showed Broos was more scared of losing than winning.

Grant Kekana was missed

In the 2023 edition, Mamelodi Sundowns duo Grant Kekana and Mothobi Mvala did well in defense, as the team finished third having conceded just three goals in the process.

Well, Mvala has been struggling with fitness issues, but Kekana recovered on time and was available but the Belgian opted for Siyabonga Ngezana and Mbekezeli Mbokazi patnership. Surprisingly, he included Nkosinathi Sibisi in his team despite his struggles at Bucs. Kekana could have made an impact especially against Cameroon.

Mofokeng not good enough for No. 10, at least not now

Relebohile Mofokeng is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the Premier Soccer League. He has played on several occasions in the No. 10 role, and despite his exploits, one can argue he is still on a learning curve as opposed to when he features in wide areas.

It beat logic when Broos left the more experienced Sipho Mbule on the bench for the young Bucs attacker. Of course, it doesn’t mean that Mofokeng played badly, but the experience that was needed and the pressure were just too much for him. He could have played wide or come in, in the No. 10 role when the job had already been done.

Broos made Lorch mistake

There were questions about Hugo Broos’ decision to exclude the in form Wydad Athletic Club winger from his squad to compete in Morocco. It was a decision that came back to bite him just as it initially did with Themba Zwane.

He lacked options in the creative role, and when he needed to change the dynamics of the game, he was limited. Imagine having Nyoso on the pitch during that time.

Bafana Bafana have to work on finishing

It was a shame that Bafana Bafana missed some clear chances in front of the goal, chances that could have seen him get in the last eight comfortably. However, they either shot wide, miscued or made bad decisions.

These are things that shouldn’t happening to a team that will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Broos has to get a lethal striker to take the created chances; still beats logic why he left Iqraam Rayners who could have done better.