South Africa vs Cameroon: Preview, history, players to watch as Bafana eye AFCON quarters

Bafana Bafana’s major test at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations comes up when they take on Cameroon in the Round of 16 in Marrakech on Sunday, January 4.

South Africa made it to the knockout round after finishing second in Group B with six points, one behind Egypt, having started with a 2-1 win over Angola before losing 1-0 to the Pharaohs and then a 3-2 victory against Zimbabwe.

They face a Cameroon side that is unbeaten in the competition after starting with a 1-0 win against Gabon before drawing 1-1 with holders Ivory Coast and ending with a 2-1 victory past Mozambique.

It will be a great test for South Africa against the young and fearless Indomitable Lions as they look to go past the Round of 16 for the eighth time in what is their 12^th AFCON appearance.

Bafana’s main worry

Mbekezeli Mbokazi Tylon Smith and Thalente Mbatha Bafana Bafana — Image – SAFA

Heading into the game, Bafana coach Hugo Broos has some cause for concern after his team shipped in four goals in three group stage matches while Cameroon come into the match after letting in just two.

Further, Cameroon have scored in every game, including against Ivory Coast, who have not lost since winning AFCON 2023, while South Africa scored five goals but did not manage to breach Egypt.

South Africa’s four goals conceded are already more than the three they let in in seven games in the 2023 tournament, when they finished third, and while this is a concern, what is even worrying is the manner they were easily carved open by Angola, Egypt and Zimbabwe.

For a team whose defence was one of their strongest points, Bafana Bafana must improve to have any chance against the five-time African champions.

Familiar faces reunite

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana will be perhaps feeling confident and lucky that they have the wily coach Hugo Broos, the man who delivered Cameroon’s last AFCON trophy in 2017.

Broos led a young team that had no superstars to the title against all odds and that experience is what South Africa will be leaning on as they look to seal a place in the quarter-final.

The Belgian coach is an old hand who knows how to get the best out of his team and will feel that he has some ‘inside knowledge’ on Cameroon even if only Christian Bassogog remains from the team that he led to AFCON glory nine years ago.

Head-to-head favours Bafana

This will be the 10th overall meeting between South Africa and Cameroon and in their previous nine matchups, Bafana Bafana have lost just one, giving them confidence heading into this one.

South Africa have three wins over Cameroon with five ending in draws and they have met at AFCON only once, that being in 1996, when Bafana Bafana won 3-0, on their way to the title.

The two teams last met in March 2016, drawing 2-2 and then 0-0 in AFCON qualifiers.

Cameroon coach starts mind games

Cameroon coach David Pagou (centre). Photo - Imago — Cameroon coach David Pagou (centre). Photo – Imago

Cameroon coach David Pagou, who has been in the job for a little over two weeks, has already christened Bafana Bafana favourites, pointing to their experienced squad and their impressive run to third place at AFCON 2023.

“During the last Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa had a very good run. They will be under pressure because we are a team in the making. We know they are strong and stubborn opponents,” Pagou told the media.

Hugo Broos reveals what worries him

Broos has already expressed his concerns over his team’s openness and hopes they can tighten it at the back.

“That [defence] was one of our strongest points in the previous AFCON and honestly now, this is a weakness and we have to work on it because if we go on like this, giving opportunities to our opponents, then it will be difficult to win,” the 73-year-old warned.

Players to watch

Bafana Bafana will be looking to goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to bail them out when the defence is breached, like he has done so brilliantly already, while Mbekezeli Mbokazi remains a key component at the back.

Meanwhile, Bathusi Aubaas could come in for Sphephelo Sithole, who was not impressive against Zimbabwe, while Relebohile Mofokeng is a strong candidate to start on the right wing or in the No.10 role.

Meanwhile, Cameroon will be relying on the intelligence of Bryan Mbeumo and the experience of Christian Bassogog while Carlos Baleba will provide steel in midfield.

Time and where to watch

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS

LAST 16

⚽️ Cameroon 🇨🇲 vs 🇿🇦 South Africa
🗓 4 January 2026
⏰️ 20h00 (local time)
🏟 Al Medina Stadium#BafanaPride @10bet_ZA @CastleLagerSA @SABC_Sport @HonorAfrica @Shield_ZA pic.twitter.com/qWPhwXohGh
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) January 2, 2026