BAFANA ON BRINK

FINAL GROUP K MATCHE: Unpredictable Uganda and stubborn South Sudan the last two stumbling blocks for Hugo Broos charges on the road to Morocco 2025

By Ali Mphaki

Bafana Bafana can see the promised land, but will they get there?

With only six points left to play for – first away against Uganda next Friday, and back home four days later on November 19 – seemingly only by amassing maximum points in both encounters will Bafana book their spot in the forthcoming Afcon 2025 to be held in Morocco next year.

Bafana Bafana are in second place in Group K with eight points, just two behind group leaders Uganda (10 points).

So far Bafana Bafana in this campaign have carried themselves with pride,

the stoicism shown by its relative young squad of players a testimony to their patriotism and love for their people and country.

No doubt Uganda pose a tricky proposition for Hugo Broos’ charges, with their previous meeting

having ended in a 2-all draw at the Orlando stadium – a last gasp minute goal by Thalente Mbatha saving the Belgian coach blushes after Uganda had twice led in the game.

Broos will be naming his final 23-man squad for the two encounters in the coming days, with the likelihood of Egyptian-based Percy making the list, the striker having not been selected for Bafana’s last match against South Sudan which they won 3-2 away.

Not much change in selection is expected from Hugo Broos’ usual core of players and he will have at least a week with the players before their match against Uganda next Friday.

In what is poised as the last match for Bafana Bafana in 2024, SAFA president Danny Jordaan has confirmed the last game would be played in Cape Town and kick off is at 18h00.

The South African senior men’s national team will be returning to Cape Town for the first time since beating Angola in an international friendly match in 2015.

“Yes, the game will be played at Cape Town Stadium, and we appeal to the fans to come out in numbers to provide a festive atmosphere for the team in this final Group K match.

A good crowd would be the perfect reward for a team that has withstood a tough qualifying campaign plagued by injuries to several key players. It would also be the perfect tribute to those players,” Dr Jordaan said.

The group’s whipping boys of the group South Sudan will be home on November 14, hosting Uganda, at the Juba stadium.

Bafana’s match will be at the Mandela National stadium the next day pencilled for 4pm.

To wrap up the group, Congo will host Uganda in Brazaville while Bafana welcomes South Sudan in Cape Town.

There have been 23 goals scored in 8 matches, for an average of 2.88 goals per match (as of 15 October 2024). Four Bafana Bafana players are among the top five goal scorers with two goals each, namely Oswin Appollis, Lyle Foster, Thalente Mbatha, Teboho Mokoena, and Ugandan Denis Omedi