DDC: How ‘Diski Generation’ is powering Bafana at AFCON 2025

As Bafana Bafana look forward to their Round of 16 clash against Cameroon at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) is also in the spotlight.

The PSL Reserve League, which started 11 years ago, has become a major springboard for players from the youth ranks to the PSL sides and now, the national team is benefiting.

At AFCON 2025, up to 18 of the 25 players selected by coach Hugo Broos are DDC graduates, showing the massive impact of the league started in 2014 by PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza.

Sipho Mbule Lyle Foster and Sithole Bafana Bafana — Image – SAFA

The DStv Diski Challenge serves as the feeder league for the PSL, Africa’s richest league, and has, since its 2014 inception, produced more than 310 young players who have been promoted to PSL first teams.

DDC graduates leading Bafana to glory

“Exactly ten years ago 14 MultiChoice Diski Challenge players were selected for the U/20 Commonwealth Games in St. Petersburg. In the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, no fewer than 18 DStv Diski players are representing the country,” said Khoza.

“Diski has become a space to play competitively in preparation for the big stage. It is not a coincidence that the PSL is now awash with an abundance of talent. Thanks to MultiChoice and Canal+ for their belief and nurturing of the vision.”

Mohau Nkota in training with Bafana Bafana. Photo SAFA

Of the 18 DDC graduates at AFCON, eight are starters while the rest have played a big part from the bench as South Africa made their way to the Round of 16 following a 2-1 win over Angola and 3-2 victory against Zimbabwe.

Already, some of them play in top leagues in the world such as Lyle Foster of Burnley, Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq), Samukelo Kabini (Molde), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge) and Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers) while Mbekezeli Mbokazi is headed to Chicago Fire after the tournament.

There are still some who could secure moves abroad after AFCON 2025 like Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng.

Oswin Appollis with his man of the match award. Photo - CAF — Oswin Appollis with his man of the match award. Photo – CAF

What does the future hold for Diski Challenge?

“When we introduced this development league in conjunction with the PSL 11 years ago, our vision was to create a bridge between youth potential and senior success. Today, that bridge is a highway to the world stage,” said Rendani Ramovha, CANAL+ Director: Content, Sport (English & Portuguese-speaking Africa).

“The DStv Diski Challenge is the vital cog in the machinery of South African football. It provides the competitive minutes and the tactical discipline that players need to transition to the highest level.

Bafana Bafana celebrate victory against Zimbabwe. Photo SAFA

“Seeing this ‘Diski Generation’ do well at AFCON and secure World Cup qualification proves that when you invest in development, you aren’t just building a league—you’re contributing to a winning nation. The Diski Challenge is a testament to the level of growth in sport that MultiChoice has been able to enact on the continent beyond our broadcasting mandate.”

Most of these players will form the bulk of Broos’ squad for the 2026 World Cup and more could still emerge before then to stake a claim on the coveted places in the team, taking DDC to a global stage.