Bafana Bafana of South Africa concluded their preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a narrow 1–0 victory over Ghana in an international friendly played at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday.
Although South Africa claimed the win, head coach Hugo Broos admitted afterward that the overall performance was not entirely convincing, insisting the team still has room to improve ahead of the tournament.
Bafana Bafana will begin their AFCON campaign on December 22 against Angola, a match they hope will set the tone for a strong start in the competition.
South Africa dominated large spells of the game, especially in the opening stages. They came close to scoring early when Sipho Mbule met a teasing corner from Muhau Nkota, but his header drifted wide.
The breakthrough eventually came through Mbule, who was once again influential in midfield. The 27-year-old scored the decisive goal from outside the box just two minutes before being substituted, underlining his growing importance in the team. The strike marked his third direct goal involvement in two matches, having already provided two assists in the 3–1 friendly win over Zambia in Gqeberha last month.
Mbule’s performance further strengthened his case as the creative hub of the side, with Broos increasingly relying on him to dictate play in the number ten role heading into the tournament in Morocco.
The match came amid scrutiny on Broos following recent accusations of racism and sexism linked to comments he made about defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s late arrival to camp and remarks concerning the player’s agent, Basia Michaels. The Belgian coach later issued an apology, stressing that he was neither racist nor sexist.
The apology appeared to have been accepted by the football public, as Bafana played in front of a lively and supportive crowd. Fans turned out in good numbers, offering vocal backing as the team builds momentum toward AFCON.
Despite Ghana fielding a makeshift side, the contest provided useful match sharpness for South Africa, with Mbule’s powerful long range effort ultimately proving the difference.
Bafana Bafana will depart for Morocco on Wednesday, aiming to improve on their last AFCON outing in Ivory Coast, where they finished third, and hoping to carry their winning momentum into the continental showpiece.
