South African Football Association, Safa, President Danny Jordaan has warned Bafana Bafana against underrating their opponents in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, arguing dynamics have changed.
The 2023 Afcon bronze winners have been placed in Group K alongside Uganda, Congo, and South Sudan.
There are 12 qualifying groups, each having four teams, meaning the top two nations will be battling for supremacy in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
South Africa urged to win their home games
Bafana Bafana's pool looks relatively easy owing to the inconsistencies and inferiority of the other three teams. However, Jordaan is anticipating a tough outing.
“This draw is different from previous draws. You find that the teams are spread, and more groups are created and therefore more teams will participate and more teams will have the opportunity,” the 72-year-old said after the draw.
“I think there are going to be quite some interesting results. We must not just look at the teams, there are going to be quite some interesting results. For ourselves, I think we must just focus and win the games at home and make sure that we go back.
“It’s important that we build consistency of performance in Bafana Bafana. It is very important. We look forward to this campaign and we hope that Bafana Bafana will qualify,” he concluded.
The first two rounds of the qualifiers will be played from September 2, with two more set for October with the final pair of qualifiers set for November.
The Hugo Broos-led team fancy their chances of grabbing one of the tickets, owing to their steady rise in recent competitive games across all competitions.
Having finished in podium positions, South Africa fans will be expecting more or the same of the exploits witnessed in Ivory Coast in the most recent competition.
