South Africa vs Angola: Players to watch as Bafana begin AFCON campaign

Bafana Bafana will open their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a match against Angola at the Marrakech Stadium on Monday and there are players who could make the difference.

South Africa will be looking upon a number of their match winners to turn the game in their favour while the Angolans also have plenty in their ranks to cause Hugo Broos’ men problems.

So, ahead of South Africa’s AFCON 2025 opener, who are the players to watch at the Stade de Marrakech?

South Africa

Mbekezeli Mbokazi

Still just 20 and with 10 months of senior football under his belt, Mbekeeli Mbokazi has shown maturity only associated with seasoned players as he offers Bafana Bafana security at the back.

The departing Orlando Pirates defender, who is headed to Chicago Fire after AFCON, is great on the ball, blessed with pace, does not panic under pressure and wins most of his aerial and ground duels.

His no-nonsense approach to defending makes him hard to cope with for attacking players and with his left foot, offers South Africa balance at the back. He could be one of the breakout stars in what is his first AFCON.

Teboho Mokoena

One of the most impressive players at AFCON 2023, it is hard to imagine Teboho Mokoena is a defensive midfielder as his attacking numbers look impressive for someone in his position.

Mokoena had two goals and an assist in AFCON 2023 and has scored six and weighed in with six goals and an assist for Bafana Bafana since that tournament.

The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder reads the game well, offers the defence protection by winning most of his duels, is a good tackler, while he launches attacks from deep due to his great range of passing. He also has an eye for goal, can shoot from distance and is a great freekick taker.

Sipho Mbule

MasterChef as he is popularly known, has been ‘cooking’ since he earned a return to the Bafana Bafana setup in September and heads to AFCON as the man who will be relied on to provide creativity.

The Orlando Pirates midfielder will fill the role played so well by Themba Zwane at AFCON 2023 and he comes into the match in great form after two assists and a goal in his last two Bafana Bafana games.

The 27-year-old can dictate the tempo of the game and unlock tight defences while his good passing and ability to play between the lines will take the weight off the attacking players. Mbule has a knack for creating a key moment that can turn a game on its head and this will be needed in plenty against Angola.

Angola

David Carmo

Born in Portugal, David Carmo, currently at Real Oviedo on loan from Nottingham Forest, anchors Angola’s hopes as he is a dependable central defender.

At 26, he is in his prime and has played 12 La Liga games this season, bringing plenty of experience to the side. Carmo is good in the air and reacts quickly to clear danger while he is also great at long balls.

Where South Africa can get him is that he commits fouls too often and can be ill-disciplined when riled by opponents.

Fredy

Perhaps the Angolan player Bafana Bafana should watch out the most, the Luanda-born star, who can play in attacking midfielder or on the wing comes to AFCON 2025 in great form.

Fredy, full name Alfredo Kulembe Ribeiro, has 10 goals and as many assists in 17 games for his Turkish club Bodrum club this season while he has two and an assist in his last seven matches for Angola.

At 35, he brings plenty of experience in what will be his third AFCON, seeking to follow on a great 2023 edition, when he provided three assists in five games.

Mabululu

One of the veterans in the squad, Agostinho Cristovao Paciencia, popularly known as Mabululu, was the star for Angola at AFCON 2023 as he scored three goals in five matches as they reached the last eight.

This is his third AFCON after 2019 and 2023 and he comes into the tournament after scoring four goals in 11 matches for his country since the last tournament.

Mabululu is a no-nonsense striker who needs just one chance to score while his pace and power makes him deadly on the break and he is also good in the air.