Bafana Bafana’s AFCON History With Opening Games – Can They Break the Cycle Against Angola?

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Bafana Bafana’s AFCON History With Opening Games – Can They Break the Cycle Against Angola?
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The wait is over. Hugo Broos and his charges kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Angola, and history tells us this fixture is anything but straightforward.

South Africa’s record in AFCON opening matches? Mixed at best. Since that glorious debut in 1996, Bafana have stumbled more often than they’ve soared, four defeats, four draws, and just three wins in their first games. And here’s the twist: this will be the third time they face Angola in an opener. The previous two? Stalemates in 1998 and 2008.

Let’s rewind through the years:

AFCON PWDL
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1996: South Africa 3-0 Cameroon

The dream start. As hosts, Clive Barker’s men swept aside Cameroon with goals from Phil Masinga, Mark Williams, and John “Shoes” Moshoeu. A statement win that set the tone for a historic tournament.

1998: South Africa 0-0 Angola

Defending champions under Jomo Sono, but no fireworks in Burkina Faso. Angola held firm, and Bafana settled for a point.

2000: South Africa 3-1 Gabon

A confident start in Ghana. Shaun Bartlett bagged a brace after Dumisa Ngobe opened the scoring. Momentum was building.

2002: South Africa 0-0 Burkina Faso

Goalless again. Mali didn’t bring the magic as Bafana failed to ignite.

2004: South Africa 2-0 Benin

Siyabonga Nomvethe delivered with a second-half double. Three points in the bag, but the group stage exit stung.

2006: South Africa 0-2 Guinea

The first-ever opening-day defeat. Ted Dumitru’s side collapsed late, conceding twice in the final 12 minutes.

2008: South Africa 1-1 Angola

Elrio Van Heerden saved the day with a late equaliser after Manucho struck for Angola. Another draw in the books.

2013: South Africa 0-0 Cape Verde

Back as hosts, but the spark was missing. A frustrating stalemate in Johannesburg.

2015: Algeria 3-1 South Africa

The heaviest opening-day defeat. Thuso Phala scored, but Algeria ran riot.

2019: Ivory Coast 1-0 South Africa

A tight affair in Egypt, but Jonathan Kodjia’s goal sealed Bafana’s fate.

2024: Mali 2-0 South Africa

Two quick second-half strikes sank Broos’ men in Korhogo. A tough start to a tough tournament.

When Bafana Bafana opening match?

The next opening takes place on Monday, 22 December 2025, at 19:00 local time (17:00 GMT) against Angola at the Grand Stade de Marrakech in Morocco. This high-stakes Group B opener in AFCON 2025 sets the tone for both nations’ campaigns.

Where to Watch

  • Internationally: beIN Sports (including beIN Sports MENA and beIN Sports 1 in France), SuperSport, Canal+ Afrique, and Arryadia across North Africa.
  • South Africa: SABC Sport and SABC 2 will broadcast live across the country, with streaming available on SABC’s platforms.
<!-- 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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