Both Alfred Chavani and Abongile Tom have been included on the shortlist for the refereeing panel for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, along with veteran Zakhele Siwela on the line.

There are 33 referees and 88 linesmen on the list of possible candidates for the tournament, which starts on 21 December.

Tom, 33, refereed at the last Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast, taking charge of three matches including a tie in the round of 16, and more recently handling World Cup qualifying matches involving Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Chavani, from Venda, is on the panel for the Under-17 World Cup which kicks off in Qatar on Monday. If selected for Morocco, he would be off to his first Cup of Nations finals but took charge of three matches at the August’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Siwela ran the line at the 2021 Cup of Nations final in Cameroon, which Victor Gomes refereed, and has been to a total of six Afcon tournaments.

But he was surprisingly omitted from the last Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast.

The 43-year-old also officiated at the last two World Cup finals, and is arguably the most successful South African referee.

Africa’s biggest football tournament is nearly here. In just under 100 days, the 35th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off in Morocco, bringing together 24 nations, 52 matches, and a rich tapestry of footballing history across nine stadiums.

The opening match is scheduled for 21 December at Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, which will also host the final on 18 January 2026.

This marks Morocco’s first time hosting AFCON in 37 years, returning to the spotlight after successfully staging recent CAF events with acclaim.

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Who’s Playing?

The tournament features a deep and competitive field. Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire arrive with momentum, while Egypt, the most decorated team in AFCON history with seven titles, will be chasing an eighth crown.

Among the 24 qualified teams are 12 previous champions, underscoring the tournament’s pedigree and unpredictability.

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 Format at a Glance

AFCON 2025 retains the familiar 24-team format, split into six groups of four. The group stage will produce 36 matches, followed by a knockout phase that includes:

• Round of 16
• Quarter-finals
• Semi-finals
• Final

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Expect near-daily drama over four festive-season weeks, with matches played across nine modern venues in cities including Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier, Agadir, and Fès.

🌟 Stars & Stakes

AFCON 2025 will showcase elite talent from Europe’s top leagues alongside emerging stars hoping to use the continental stage as a global springboard.

While Samuel Eto’o remains the tournament’s all-time top scorer with 18 goals, today’s stars like Victor Osimhen, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mané will be chasing their own legacies.

Key storylines include:

• Can Côte d’Ivoire defend their title?
• Will Egypt reclaim dominance?
• Which underdog will rise from the middle tier?
• Bafana Bafana to reclaim the glory?

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Key Numbers to Know

• 35th edition of AFCON
• 24 teams, including 12 former champions
• 52 matches, with 36 in the group stage
• 9 stadiums across Morocco
• Opening match: 21 December, Rabat
• Final: 18 January, Rabat
• Defending champions: Côte d’Ivoire
• Most titles: Egypt (7)
• All-time top scorer: Samuel Eto’o (18 goals)

African football boss Patrice Motsepe said on Monday he is "absolutely confident" the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead in Morocco, the scene of daily anti-government protests for more than a week.

Young Moroccans took to the streets on Sunday for a ninth straight night of protests, calling for an end to corruption and a change of government.

The protesters have demanded reforms to social services, especially health and education, and voiced anger over social inequality.

Morocco is scheduled to stage the Cup of Nations (AFCON) from December 21 to January 18 at nine venues, with 24 national teams competing in the premier African football competition.

Stars like Egypt and Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah and Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi are among the players set to participate.

Speaking during an annual gathering of African football bosses in Kinshasa, Confederation of African Football president Motsepe said: "We (CAF) are absolutely confident the AFCON will go ahead as planned.

"Morocco is plan A, Morocco is plan B and Morocco is plan C," he told his audience, including FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

"CAF will co-operate and work with the government and all the citizens of Morocco to host the most successful AFCON in history," said Motsepe, a South African billionaire businessman.

Morocco hosted the 1988 AFCON – then an eight-nation tournament – and withdrew as hosts of the 2015 version citing Ebola virus fears.

African Football League 'important' 

Motsepe said CAF hoped to revive the African Football League, which was launched amid much hype only to be discontinued in 2023 after one radically changed edition.

Instead of 24 entrants, playing a minimum of 14 matches each, and record prize money for an African club competition, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa won a watered-down eight-team tournament.

"There are ongoing discussions. We are very happy about the progress made. The African Football League is very important and it will continue," said Motsepe, without giving details.

Motsepe inherited a CAF deep in debt when he replaced Ahmed Ahmed in 2021 after FIFA banned the Malagasy for breaching codes related to loyalty, abuse of position and misappropriation of funds.

He quickly improved the situation and a net profit of $9.48 million for the 2023-24 financial year was announced in Kinshasa. CAF predict there will be a surplus of $28.45 million next year.

"We have been enormously successful in the last five years. Revenues have quadrupled. Zero tolerance of bribery and corruption is important. All the money goes into football development," said the president.

"What member associations get has doubled. We want to pay players more and help our national teams. Football must develop and grow in Africa.

"We give $100 000 to each club that does not qualify for the group stage of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. It is not enough, but helps with transport and other things."

Marc Brys has resigned as coach of Cameroon five months before the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco and with his side's 2026 World Cup qualification undecided, citing unpaid salaries for the Belgian and his technical staff.

Brys has had a testy relationship with Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) president Samuel Eto'o since taking the job in April 2024, but his position is funded by the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education.

The coach said in a letter to the ministry, seen by Reuters, that he has made the "decision to unilaterally terminate the said contract for cause, due to the non-payment of my remuneration and that of my staff for more than 60 days."

FECAFOOT said in a statement on Wednesday they had noted the resignation and would "implement a coordinated response to mitigate the impact of this vacancy at the head of the national team's technical staff."

Cameroon have been drawn in a group with defending champions Ivory Coast, Gabon and Mozambique at the 21 December- 18 January finals of the Afcon.

They are currently second in their qualifying pool for next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, a point behind Cape Verde with four rounds remaining. Only the top team automatically earns their place at the finals.

The qualification campaign will conclude in September and October.

The last time Angola and Egypt shared the same group with South Africa at an Africa Cup of Nations tournament, Bafana Bafana went on and won the event!

It might be wishful thinking but maybe there is a positive omen from 1996 to take to the 2025 edition after what came out of Monday’s draw for the end-of-year tournament in Morocco, which kicks off on December 21.

The draw was not unkind to South Africa although with some more luck they could have landed up in an easier group.

Egypt, with Mohamed Salah at the helm, are the obvious group favourites but Angola and Zimbabwe are not to be under-estimated even if South Africa has a winning record over all three. Yes, Egypt as well … with seven wins to four defeats in past clashes with Pharaohs.

The last meeting between the two teams came in the 2019 Cup of Nations finals and was a sensational counter punch performance under Stuart Baxter, whose tactical approach was heavily centred around what he called “transition”.

Egypt were hosting the 2019 Cup of Nations and there was much expectation on the shoulders of their team. South Africa has scraped through the group phase as one of the best four third placed finishers after an unconvincing first round performance and were expected to exit the event. But a quick throw-in and serious of sharp passes sent away Thembinkosi Lorch for an unlikely 85th minute winner, crushing home hopes and seeing Bafana through to the last eight.

Angola are no pushover but Bafana have always had the upper hand in their past meetings while Zimbabwe and South Africa are in the same World Cup qualifying group, with a 3-1 win in Bloemfontein in June coming after Iqraam Rayners scored in the first minutes.

Of course, success at the Cup of Nations needs a dollop of good fortune along the way and much will depend on where Bafana finish in their opening round group and who they meet should they progress to the last-16. After that it is a free-for-all as we witnessed this time last year, when South Africa ended the hopes of runaway favourites Morocco in the last 16, then got lucky against the Cape Verde Islands in the quarterfinal and had Ronwen William’s penalty-saving heroics to thank and then should have won the semifinal against Nigeria but botched golden chances.

The 2025 edition promises to be as absorbing, if not more so, and South Africa have realistic hopes of making a big splash yet again.

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae is confident his team can become the first country since Egypt in 2008 to successfully defend the Africa Cup of Nations title.

The 2025 edition kicks off in Morocco on 21 December.

The draw was in Rabat on Monday paired the defending champions with Cameroon, Gabon and Mozambique in Group F.

Ivory Coast will begin their title defence against Mozambique on 24 December in Marrakesh, then face five-time champions Cameroon and Gabon.

Group winners and runners-up are guaranteed round-of-16 slots and the best four third-placed teams also qualify.

"Sorry Morocco, but we are bringing the trophy back to Abidjan," said Fae, who replaced French coach Jean-Louis Gasset after a humiliating four-goal 2024 Afcon group loss to Equatorial Guinea.

Fae, who was assisting Gasset and had never coached a senior team, led a remarkable u-turn that culminated in a 2-1 final victory over Nigeria.

"There are so many great teams coming to Morocco, but I have no intention of making our supporters cry," he said.

"The key to success for the Elephants will be great preparations. That is a non negotiable," he told reporters in the Moroccan capital.

Egypt, whose last of a record seven Afcon titles came in 2010, face South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe in Group B, considered by many observers as the toughest of the six mini-leagues.

Coach Hossam Hassan acknowledged that the media spotlight would be on prolific Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah and new Manchester City signing Omar Marmoush, but said Egypt had many stars.

"We are lucky to have Mohamed, one of the greatest footballers in the world, and the talented Omar, but watch out for many other Egyptians who will impress in Morocco," he said.

'STRESS'

Morocco coach Walid Regragui, the mastermind behind the shock third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, admitted that stressful days lay ahead.

"My country has been waiting since 1976 to win the Cup of Nations again. There will be stress and pressure for sure, but I am hopeful that we can succeed.

"A key factor in our favour will be the Moroccan people. They are the best football supporters in the world. That said, it is vital that we respect all our opponents, starting with Comoros."

Morocco face 2022 Afcon giant-killers Comoros in the tournament opener in Rabat on 21 December, then Mali and Zambia in Group A.

The Atlas Lions finished fourth when they previously hosted the Afcon in 1988. That tournament consisted of just eight teams, compared with 24 this year.

Recently-appointed Nigeria coach Eric Chelle gave little away after the Super Eagles were drawn in Group C with Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.

"I am in charge of a good team, but there are 23 other good teams coming to Morocco, and they all have good coaches," said Chelle.

Morocco will use a record nine stadiums, including four in Rabat, for the Afcon. Agadir, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Fes and Tangier are the other venues.

Morocco has selected nine stadiums in six cities for the Africa Cup of Nations finals starting in December, the country’s local organising committee said on Monday hours before the tournament draw was due to be held.

Four stadiums will be in the capital Rabat and officials said the final will be played at Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, which has a 69 500 capacity.

It will also host the opening match and a semifinal, along with the renovated stadium in Tangier.

Casablanca’s Mohammed V stadium was the venue for the final when Morocco last hosted the tournament in 1988 but it is earmarked for a quarterfinal only this time round, along with Agadir, Fes and Marrakech.

The 24-team tournament is being held from December 21-January 18, 2026.

Morocco are World Cup co-hosts in 2030, along with Spain and Portugal, and plan to build a 115 000-seater stadium on the outskirts of Casablanca by 2027, which they hope could host the 2030 final.

The stadium, one of the largest in the world, will cost up to $500 million, the Moroccan government previously said.

Stadiums in Rabat and Tangier are being renovated ahead of the Cup of Nations and Morocco plans after the tournament to upgrade the stadiums in Agadir, Fes and Marrakech, which are candidates to be World Cup host cities.

South Africa and Zimbabwe were again drawn together and will compete in the same group at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, just months after they conclude battling in the same World Cup qualifying group.

Bafana and the Warriors are tussling it out for a place at the 2026 World Cup finals in North America and have a qualifying match to come in Zimbabwe in October near the end of the qualifying campaign.

They will then meet again two months later at the Cup of Nations finals, after both were paired in Group B at the draw, which was conducted in Rabat on Monday.

🇪🇬🇿🇦🇦🇴🇿🇼

Which nation will dominate #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 Group B? pic.twitter.com/nm9w6XFBiK

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) January 27, 2025

South Africa start their Group B campaign against Angola in Marrakech on 22 December and then meet top seeds Egypt in Agadir on 26 December and finish off against Zimbabwe in Marrakech on 29 December.

South Africa reached the semifinals at the last edition in the Ivory Coast 12 months ago, with Egypt going out in the last 16 and Angola reaching the quarterfinals.

South Africa will face Zimbabwe at the Cup of Nations for the first time but it will be a fifth clash in the finals against Angola after previous meetings in 1996, 1998, 2008 and 2013.

South Africa are undefeated against Angola in four previous finals fixtures

Bafana will face Egypt at the finals for a fourth time they defeated them in their last meeting in 2019 in in Cairo when the Pharaohs were the hosts.

The teams also met in the 1998 final in Burkina Faso, and in a group meeting in 1996.

Locked in 🔒

The draw for #AFCON2025 is complete and the countdown is on!

What's the trickiest group? 👀 pic.twitter.com/E3ssBP6tUP

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 27, 2025

AFCON DRAW

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: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

The top two teams in each group plus the four best third placed finishers advance to the last-16.

South Africa will face Mohamed Salah-captained Egypt while Ademola Lookman-inspired Nigeria must tackle Tunisia after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group stage draw was made in Rabat on Monday.

Hosts Morocco face giantkillers Comoros in the opening match of the 24-team tournament on 21 December while title-holders Ivory Coast will come up against five-time winners Cameroon.

Sudan, a country ravaged by civil war, drew Algeria, and the clash of Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to be another group-stage highlight.

Locked in 🔒

The draw for #AFCON2025 is complete and the countdown is on!

What's the trickiest group? 👀 pic.twitter.com/E3ssBP6tUP

— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) January 27, 2025

Prolific scorer Salah has won multiple honours with Liverpool, but victory in the Afcon has eluded him. He came closest by finishing a runner-up in 2017 and 2022.

Apart from South Africa, the record seven-time champions will take on two other countries from the south of the continent, Angola and Zimbabwe, in Group B.

🇪🇬🇿🇦🇦🇴🇿🇼

Which nation will dominate #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 Group B? pic.twitter.com/nm9w6XFBiK

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) January 27, 2025

Nigeria, runners-up to the Ivory Coast last year, are blessed with outstanding forwards, including African Footballer of the Year Lookman and his predecessor Victor Osimhen.

Tunisia, making a record 17th consecutive Afcon appearance, and east African contenders Uganda and Tanzania complete Group C.

Amad Diallo, scorer of a recent hat-trick for Manchester United against Southampton, is a likely starter for Ivory Coast, who will also meet Gabon and Mozambique in Group F.

With home advantage and Europe-based stars like Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, Morocco will be hoping to become the fourth Afcon hosts this century to lift the trophy.

In the previous 13 editions from 2000, only Tunisia in 2004, Egypt two years later and the Ivory Coast in 2024 have triumphed at home.

And all three triumphs were hard earned with Tunisia edging Morocco 2-1, Egypt pipping the Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout and the Ivorians coming from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1 last year.

Ivory Coast are the only country to have been crowned champions twice in the past eight editions of a competition first staged in 1957 and won by Egypt in Khartoum.

The other champions were Egypt, for a record seventh time in 2010, Zambia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria and Senegal.

CAF president Patrick Motsepe from South Africa told reporters he believes the first Afcon to span two years will also be the most successful.

"I am extremely excited about the Afcon in Morocco – it is going to be the most successful yet. Ivory Coast raised the bar last year and now we must reach even greater heights.

Originally slated for mid-2025, the tournament had to be delayed because to avoid clashing with the maiden edition of the revamped Fifa Club World Cup in the United States.

"The new dates will not affect the tournament. Africa boasts many exceptionally talented footballers and all of them will be in Morocco," added Motsepe.

Hosting the Afcon is viewed as a crucial part of the Moroccan build-up toward the 2030 World Cup, which the kingdom will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup in 1930 in Uruguay, that country, Argentina and Paraguay will host one match each before the tournament moves to Europe and Africa.

DRAW

Group A

Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros

Group B

Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe

Group C

Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania

Group D

Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Botswana

Group E

Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

Group F

Ivory Coast (holders), Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

DATES

Groups: Dec 21-31 (excluding Dec 25)

Last 16: Jan 3-6, 2026

Quarterfinals: Jan 9-10

Semifinals: Jan 14

3rd place: Jan 17

Final: Jan 18

VENUES

Rabat (four stadiums), Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakesh, Fes and Tangier

South Africa have been placed into the second pot for Monday’s Africa Cup of Nations finals draw in Morocco, included in the second tier of seeds for the tournament .

The draw will be broadcast live on SuperSport Variety 4 at 8pm CAT (GMT+2).

Bafana Bafana will be drawn into one of the six groups for the finals in December, along with one of the top seeds, which are host Morocco, holders Ivory Coast, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria and Senegal.

South Africa will not face any of Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali or Tunisia, who are all in the same pot.

The seedings for the finals were not determined by past Cup of Nations finals’ performances but instead by the latest Fifa rankings, as of December 19, where South Africa are 57th in the world and 10th in Africa.

The draw, which is being broadcast by SuperSport and starts at 8pm, begins with the drawing of the teams in the bottom tier, pot four. It has a heavy southern Africa influence and features Botswana, Comoros, Mozambique, Sudan, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

After that the six teams in pot three will be allocated a group each. They are Angola, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Uganda and Zambia.

Following that will be the turn of the teams in pot two, including Bafana Bafana, and then finally all the top seeds will be drawn into each of the six first round group.

The tournament, which kicks off on December 21, sees the top two teams in each of the six groups advance along with the four best third placed finishers to the knockout stages.

The final will be held on 18 January 2026.

The venues for the tournament are still to be revealed.

Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco and title-holders the Ivory Coast are likely to be among the top seeds when the draw for the 2025 tournament is made in Rabat on January 27.

A Confederation of African Football official told AFP on condition of anonymity as he is not an official spokesperson that the latest world rankings "would almost certainly determine the seeds".

CAF have used the Fifa rankings to seed nations for Afcon and World Cup draws, and are likely to use the December 2024 listings as the next rankings will only be published on April 3.

The 24 participants will be divided into six four-team groups with winners and runners-up from each plus the best four third-placed sides qualifying for the knockout phase.

Originally set for mid-2025, the tournament was pushed back in order not to clash with the revamped Club World Cup and now kicks off on December 21 and finishes on January 18.

It is the first time the biennial Afcon, first staged in Sudan in 1957, will span two years. Morocco previously hosted the event in 1988 when just eight countries took part.

Hosts Ivory Coast were crowned champions last February, coming from behind to edge Nigeria 2-1 in Abidjan with Sebastien Haller scoring the title-winning goal.

Likely seeding

First: Morocco (hosts), Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Ivory Coast (holders)

Second: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso

Third: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin

Fourth: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana

It should be something of a conundrum for Bafana Bafana but coach Hugo Broos was unambiguous about what he would prefer.

Playing at altitude on the Highveld should be a major advantage for the national team when they host international opposition. There are many examples of past games where the thin air has taken the fight out of an opponent and handed the South African side a major advantage.

But for too long, the crowds on the Reef have been poor. Yes, there were full houses at Soccer City when Bafana won the 1996 Cup of Nations finals, but only from the quarterfinal onwards, and then sporadically for showpiece fixtures thereafter, like against Brazil, Spain, and naturally, the 2010 World Cup opener.

But there have been many other matches of consequence played in Johannesburg or Pretoria where the turnout was disappointing. One that springs to mind is the match in May 2001 against Zimbabwe at Soccer City to ensure a place at the 2002 World Cup. Incredibly, only 15 000 pitched that day to watch South Africa book their place.

Durban, too, has had a glut of national team fixtures where the attendance could have been a lot better.

This year we have rediscovered that there are many other places around the country with a healthy appetite to see Bafana in action.

There was an excellent turnout in Bloemfontein in June for the World Cup qualifying win over Zimbabwe and again in Gqeberha last month when the crowd at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium were treated to a five-goal festival as Bafana demolished Congo.

The Cape Town Stadium was sold out on Tuesday for the 3-0 win over South Sudan which confirmed South Africa first in their 2025 Cup of Nations qualifying group.

This then begged the question of coach Broos: “Would you prefer the advantage of altitude or playing in the provinces where the crowds are better?”

The response was swift and unequivocal. “Give me a full house any day,” said the Belgian.

Players play better with their sails given wind by the backing of the crowd. Nothing is more soul-destroying than a paltry crowd, he continued.

A winning side should attract followers everywhere but the message to the South African Football Association is clear that the national team needs to move around more and show itself to citizens all over the country.

Ivory Coast have called up two South African-based goalkeepers for their final two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, with veteran Ali Badara Sangare from Sekhukhune United and Ira Tapé of TS Galaxy both included for matches against Zambia and Chad.

The Ivorians are defending Cup of Nations champions but are yet to confirm their place at the 24-team tournament in Morocco next year.

They need a draw away against Zambia in Ndola on Friday to make sure. If they lose they can still advance by winning their last game at home to Chad in Abidjan next Tuesday, November 19.

Coach Emerse Faé selected a group of 25 players, making several changes from their last two matches against Sierra Leone last month, one of which saw them suffer a surprise defeat.

Tapé comes into the squad, along with Auxerre defender Sinaly Diomandé and the midfield pair of Jean-Eudes Aholou and Lazare Amani, who were part of the squad that won the Cup of Nations title on home soil in February.

Vakoun Bayo earned a recall after a lengthy absence while two of the heroes from the Cup of Nations success at the start of the year are also back in Jérémie Boga and fan favourite Simon Adingra, who was injured for last month’s two qualifiers.

Dropped are Eric Bailly, who had a nightmare return to the side last month, plus Jean Michaël Seri, who was the x-factor for the Ivorians earlier this year.

There is also no place for Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, despite his double in the Europa League last week.

SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Angers, France), Ali Badra Sangare (Sekhukhune United, South Africa), Ira Tapé (TS Galaxy, South Africa)

Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Stade Reims, France), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Sinaly Diomandé (AJ Auxerre, France), Guela Doue (Racing Strasbourg, France), Evan Ndicka (AS Roma, Italy), Christopher Operi (Le Havre, France), Wilfried Singo (Monaco, France)

Midfielders: Jean-Eudes Aholou (Angers, France), Lazare Amani (Union Saint Gilloise, Belgium) Mohamed Diomande (Rangers), Mario Dorgeles (Nordsjaelland, Denmark), Seko Fofana (Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Franck Kessie (Al Ahli Jeddah, Saudi Arabia), Hamed Traore (AJ Auxerre, France)

Forwards: Simon Adingra (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Vakoun Bayo (Watford, England), Jérémie Boga (Nice, France), Oumar Diakite (Stade Reims, France), Evann Guessano (Nice, France), Jean Philippe Krasso (Paris FC, France), Nicolas Pepe (Villarreal, Spain), Benie Traore (FC Basle, Switzerland).

The last week of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations finals will hopefully flow smoother than the preceding two windows as Bafana Bafana have made the task of earning a spot at the 2025 finals in Morocco tougher than expected.

They had to scramble in stoppage-time goals in their opening two matches in September to avoid a disastrous start, but even after hammering Congo 5-0 in Gqeberha last month are still not assured of advancing to next year’s tournament.

Uganda still top Group K by two points from second-placed South Africa and a draw will see them qualify.

South Africa can make sure with an away win in Kampala in their penultimate group fixture on Friday, which would not only see them book their tickets to Morocco but also see them leapfrog Uganda to the top of the standings.

This is potentially important for the seedings when the draw for the 24-team finals is conducted.

Should Bafana fail in Uganda on Friday, then they can still make sure with a home win over lowly South Sudan in Cape Town next Tuesday, but they will not want to leave it up to the last fixture.

There have been too many calamitous results from similar situations in the past to want to chance it.

South Africa also need a sharp showing in their last two Cup of Nations qualifiers to put them in the right frame for the resumption of the 2026 World Cup preliminaries.

It is a big 2025 ahead on the international front with not only the conclusion of the World Cup qualifiers, but also Mamelodi Sundowns’ participation in the Club World Cup and the Cup of Nations in Morocco, which kicks off on December 18, 2025. So much for Christmas at home!

But we won’t mind if South Africa are, by then, not only qualified for the World Cup but also one of the form sides chasing the African crown.

It has been heartening to see the massive lift that Bafana’s performance at the last finals in the Ivory Coast at the start of this year gave to the domestic game. Crowds are up, interest heightened, with the feel-good factor returning to the game.

Of course, much more is still needed, particularly commercial interest from the corporate world. Bafana success will see those sponsorships return because, as we see with the Springboks, everyone loves a winner.

Mihlali Mayambela has been withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana squad after he picked up an injury while playing for his Cypriot club Aris Limassol at the weekend.

The South African senior men’s national team face Uganda away from home on 15 November and South Sudan at DHL Stadium on 19 November in Cape Town in matches that could see coach Hugo Broos’ charges qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) to be held in Morocco next year.

Broos and team manager Vincent Tseka confirmed to Safa.net that Mayambela – who made the final 23 list named a few days ago – will no longer join his teammates this week.

“Unfortunately, Mayambela will not join us in camp, and he will be replaced by Devin Titus from Stellenbosch FC,” Broos said on Monday.

The Bafana Bafana manager said an SOS has been sent to Titus’ club and he is already on the way to Johannesburg to join the team in camp. The team assembles in Johannesburg on Monday, 11 November and will begin training on the same day ahead of the away qualifier against Uganda on Friday.

They will travel by charter on Thursday morning and return to South Africa on Saturday, 16 November.

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

Tickets to the game in Cape Town have gone on sale. The South African Football Association (Safa) confirmed a few days ago that tickets to the highly anticipated encounter are available at TicketPro outlets, Spar, SuperSpar, Putco, Postnet, Jam clothing, and at Shell, Sasol and BP garages.

© SAFA

Hugo Broos has set his sights on getting Bafana Bafana across the finish line when his charges play their last two matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying campaign this month.

The South African senior men’s national team face Uganda away from home on 15 November 2024 and South Sudan at DHL Stadium on 19 November in Cape Town in matches that could see Broos’ charges qualify for the Afcon to be held in Morocco next year.

Broos named his final 23-player squad for the two games on Thursday, 7 November 2024 and he welcomed goalkeeper Sage Stephens to the team as he steps in to replace the injured Ricardo Goss.

“These two games are very important. We can qualify for Afcon in Uganda if we win, but if we don’t, then we have to do it against South Sudan at home. So, these games are very important,” he said.

“It is also important for me that I can always count on nearly the same players. They know how we work, and they know what we ask from them in a game. So, there is no adaptation. You also create friendships between players when you always have nearly the same players.

“Now we have a new player in goalkeeper Sage Stephens because Ricardo Goss is injured. So, we had to choose a replacement. He deserves to be here because he delivers fantastic performances with Stellenbosch. I’m sure that he will adapt very quickly to this group. So, again, we will try to win the first game in Uganda so that when we come back, we have already qualified, and we have a relaxed game against South Sudan.”

Tickets to the game in Cape Town have gone on sale.

Tickets to the highly anticipated encounter are available at TicketPro outlets, Spar, SuperSpar, Putco, Postnet, Jam clothing, and at Shell, SASOL and BP garages,

The gates at the stadium will open at 15h00 and the tickets are priced at R60.00 for adults. Kids, scholars and students will pay R30.00 (school uniform and student cards required for over 12-year-olds).

©SAFA

Uganda have picked a settled 27-man squad for their last Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next week but added two uncapped players for the matches against South Africa and Congo.

The Cranes are at the top of group K and need only draw next Thursday’s home match against South Africa in Kampala to book a place at next year’s finals in Morocco.

They conclude their campaign against Congo in Brazzaville on 19 November.

Coach Paul Put has included teenager John Paul Dembe, who plays at Hacken in Sweden and picked a fourth goalkeeper in Mutwalibi Mugolofa.

Dembe finished as the top scorer with six goals in the recent zonal under-20 African Championship qualifiers.

Uganda’s first-choice goalkeeper is Isima Watenga, despite the fact he has not played for Lamontville Golden Arrows this season where Namibia international Edward Maova has featured in all the matches.

Uganda continue to spurn the Richards Bay goalkeeper Salim Magoola after he led a strike last year in search for better pay for the national team.

Watenga is one of two South African-based payers in the squad along with Venda FC goalkeeper Charles Lukwago. The former Baroka midfielder Khaild Aucho, who now plays in Tanzania, is also in the squad.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces, Ethiopia), Charles Lukwago (Venda FC, South Africa), Mutwalibu Mugolofa (Kampala Capital City Authority), Isima Watenga (Lamontville Golden Arrows, South Africa),

Defenders: Timothy Awany (Ashdod, Israel), Aziz Abdu Kayondo (Slovan Liberec, Czech Republic), Gavin Kizito (Kampala Capital City Authority), Halidi Lwaliwa (Al Ain, Saudi Arabia), Bevis Mugabi (Famagusta Anorthosis, Cyprus), Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Zizkov, Czech Republic), Kenneth Semakula (Club Africain, Tunisia), Geoffrey Wasswa (Ethiopia Bunna, Ethiopia)

Midfielders: Khalid Aucho (Young Africans, Tanzania), Bobosi Byaruhanga (Austin FC, USA), Taddeo Lwanga (APR FC, Rwanda), Saidi Mayanja (Kampala Capital City Authority), Travis Mutyaba (Girondins Bordeaux, France), Allan Okello (Vipers), Ronald Ssekiganda (SC Villa)

Forwards: John Paul Dembe (Hacken, Sweden), Calvin Kabuye (Sandviken, Sweden), Hakim Kiwanuka (SC Villa), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (Kampala Capital City Authority), Rogers Mato (Akademija Pandev, North Macedonia), Steven Mukwala (Simba, Tanzania), Derrick Nsibambi (Kampala Capital City Authority), Denis Omedi, Jude Ssemugabi (both Kitara).

Brentford striker Yoane Wissa returns to the Democratic Republic of Congo squad in one of only three changes for the final series of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, having already qualified for the finals in Morocco next year.

Coach Sébastien Desabre has called up 26 players for the matches against Guinea in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on 16 November and then at home in Kinshasa to Ethiopia three days later.

Wissa was injured for last month’s home-and-away wins over Tanzania which made sure of the Leopards' progress to the finals in Morocco next December.

Teenager Ngal'ayel Mukau from French top-flight club Lille was first called up in August for the opening round of qualifiers, but withdrew due to injury. He is back again for a possible first cap at the age of 19.

Irish-born Peter Kioso is selected from the start for the first time after he was a late call-up for the injured Axel Tuanzebe last month.

With a 100 per cent record after four games, six goals scored and none conceded, DR Congo are already guaranteed a top-two finish and should win group H, with a six-point lead over second-placed Guinea.

SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Dimitry Bertaud (Montpellier, France), Timothy Fayulu (Sion, Switzerland), Lionel Mpasi (Rodez, France)

Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (St Etienne, France), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland), Henock Inonga (Royal Armed Forces, Morocco), Peter Kioso (Oxford United, England), Gédéon Kalulu (Lorient, France), Joris Kayembe (Genk, Belgium), Arthur Masuaku (Besiktas, Turkey), Chancel Mbemba (Olympique de Marseille, France)

Midfielders: William Balikwisha (OH Leuven, Belgium), Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Meshack Elia (Young Boys Berne, Switzerland), Gael Kakuta (Esteghlal, Iran), Nathanaël Mbuku (Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia), Silas Katompa Mvumpa (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Edo Kayembe (Watford, England), Samuel Moutoussamy (Sivasspor, Turkey), Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille, France), Charles Pickel (Cremonense, Italy), Noah Sadiki (Union Saint Gilloise, Belgium)

Forwards: Simon Banza (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Samuel Essende (Ausgburg, Germany), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt), Yoane Wissa (Brentford).

The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) said Nigeria were to blame for the postponement of Tuesday's scheduled Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Benghazi after the visitors refused to play the match citing mistreatment on arrival in the country.

Nigerian players and officials were kept in a locked airport for over 16 hours almost 250km away from their intended destination after their charter flight was redirected while on approach to Benghazi and instead landed in Bayda.

They said they had no access to food or water, or contact from Libyan officials during the episode, and decided to fly back to Nigeria on Monday rather than fulfil the fixture.

The LFF had said on Monday that the incident was not deliberate and urged Nigeria to be understanding, adding that their players had also faced travel difficulties last week.

The Confederation of African Football has said it has referred the matter to its disciplinary board.

The LFF said in a statement it deplored the actions taken by the Nigeria Football Federation and that it would take all legal measures to protect the interests of the national team.

"The Libyan Football Federation apologises to the Libyan football fans everywhere and the parties concerned with the arrangements of the match due to the state of confusion caused by the Nigerian Football Federation, which led to the failure to hold the match on time," it added.

The LFF had earlier complained about the treatment of their players and officials on arrival in Nigeria for a qualifier in Uyo last week, which saw their flight land hours away from the match venue and the players endured long travel delays.

Nigeria won that match 1-0 and are in pole position to qualify for the Cup of Nations finals that will be staged in Morocco late next year. The top two teams in each qualification pool advance to the finals.

Zimbabwe coach Micheal Nees is hoping for Warriors fans to flock to the Orlando Stadium on Monday night when his side takes on Namibia in a crucial Group J, 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Orlando Stadium.

Kick-off is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

Zimbabwe moved up to 2nd position in Group J this past Thursday as a result of their 1-0 win against Namibia at the Orlando Stadium.

Khama Billiat, who recently made his way back to international football, scored the winning goal for his nation against the Brave Warriors on his return to South African soil.

As it stands, Namibia sits at the bottom of Group J and have now recorded three consecutive defeats in their 2025 Afcon qualifying bid.

WHAT WAS SAID

With Zimbabwe boasting a large contingent of fans in South Africa, Warriors coach Micheal Nees has urged supporters to turn out in their numbers tomorrow evening.

“We need the spectators, even if they are critical, even if they are against us then we want to change them and turn them around that we play in the way that they are cheering the players and that they are for us,”

“Spectators are needed, otherwise football will become boring.”

Despite suffering defeat last time out, Namibia coach Colin Benjamin believes his side were the better outfit at the Orlando Stadium.

“But I believe my team were the better side, they created more chances,” Benjamin mentioned.

“We played good football in the second half. I counted about nine chances that we failed to convert.

“In the first half before Zimbabwe had a penalty, we had something like three clear chances from set pieces.

“In the end, I’m sitting here with my team with zero points and zero goals. That hurts, especially knowing that you were the better team.”

TEAM NEWS

Zimbabwe will be without Munashe Garananga, Tino Kadewere and Tawanda Chirewa for the upcoming tie owing to injury, while Namibia had no personnel problems this past week.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Zimbabwe’s recent win over Namibia will come as a timely confidence booster, given their past record in this fixture.

The Warriors now have two wins over the Brave Warriors in their last five matches across the board, while Namibia jotted down three victories to their name during this period.