- Monday, December 22, 2025
- South Africa Vs Angola
- Grande Stade Marrakech – 6 pm [8 pm EAT]
South Africa opens their Group B account in the Africa Cup of Nations with a blockbuster against Angola with many ambitions.
First, they need a victory to ensure they ease pressure on qualification to the next stage but also protect their unbeaten streak that stretches to over two years.
Bafana Bafana are unbeaten in 26 matches altogether and this will give them more reason to go into the Angola clash with revived energy.
Their captain, Ronwen Williams, knows most teams are now aware of their threat but promises to do well to make the nation proud.
“We haven’t lost in two years. We beat Morocco, a big team, so it’s normal that people are looking at us,” he said.
“But this AFCON is different. The level has gone up a lot, and we must raise our level too. We have to give even more, because nothing will be easy. But we are ready for the challenge.”
Hugo Broos who led the 1996 champions to 3rd place at the last edition believes the side should start winning titles now after two years of hard work.
“We have had some good years and played well, but winning this tournament is still very difficult,” Broos explained. “There are many circumstances that have to come together. We believe we can go further than in previous tournaments. That is everyone’s dream. You also need a bit of luck in football, but we believe in ourselves.”
On facing Angola, the Belgian who will manage his 50th game in charge of the team expects a tough clash.
“I have seen Angola play recently and we know it will be a very difficult match,” the South African coach continued. “Every country wants to show what it can do. We are ready, and we know what we want: to win this first match.”
Meanwhile, Angola coach Patrice Beaumelle is expecting a very high-level contest against a confident South African team.
“We are facing a team that comes in with a lot of belief,” he noted. “South Africa are on a run of 26 matches without defeat. They are a team that has found its balance and is already projecting towards their next World Cup.”
“But we are capable of causing problems for any team. We have shown that we can handle pressure and produce a good performance, as we did against Argentina.”
Later in the group, seven-time champions Egypt will play Zimbabwe.