South Africa have been drawn in Group B of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations alongside seven-time champions Egypt, Angola and regional rivals Zimbabwe. The draw took place in Rabat, Morocco, which will host the tournament from December 2025 to January 2026.
Bafana Bafana, coached by Hugo Broos, enter the competition on the back of a strong qualifying campaign in which they went unbeaten and topped Group K ahead of Uganda, Congo and South Sudan. The team also carry momentum from their bronze-medal finish at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast — their first continental medal in over 20 years.
Egypt, led by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, are seen as the favourites in the group, but South Africa’s recent performances under Broos have established them as serious contenders. Angola and Zimbabwe will also provide stern tests, with both sides known for their physical style and disciplined defending.
South Africa were placed in Pot 2 during the draw, alongside nations such as Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, DR Congo and Burkina Faso.
Reflecting on Bafana Bafana’s progress, SAFA president Danny Jordaan praised Broos for transforming the national team. “The growth and development of this team in the last few years has been amazing. After taking the team to a bronze medal in Ivory Coast, he has now qualified them for the next tournament unbeaten,” Jordaan said.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe expressed confidence that Morocco 2025 would be one of the most successful tournaments yet, highlighting the rising quality and global respect for African football.
AFCON 2025 groups:
Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
Group E: Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique