AFCON 2025: Bafana Bafana had chances but Cameroon scored goals

Even with so much rich history, South Africa and Cameroon had only one previous encounter at the continental stage (1996 Africa Cup of Nations) and on Sunday they clashed for just second time at AFCON. But unlike the first one, in which Bafana Bafana won 3-0 and ended up as the winner of the tournament, former Cameroon boss has now been defeated and is going home: South Africa – Cameroon 1-2. Hugo Broos, who once managed The Indomitable Lions will be frustrated with the way his team played, and so will Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim. While the whole nation, with the FA president Samuel Eto’o as the leader are celebrating, the Portuguese coach will be disappointed for the second time in just one day. After a 1-1 draw against Leeds, he witnessed his best player Bryan Mbeumo winning and advancing to the quarterfinals, thus staying in Africa for at least five more days.

But it could have been a whole different story if only South Africa used their chances. After all, they had two marvelous opportunities within the first seven minutes of this match. When they failed to capitalize one them, Cameroon scored. The same thing happened in the second half when the Indomitable Lions scored early and then Bafana Bafana missed two great chances again. A late goal two minutes from time only added a bit of drama to the game but changed nothing. Now, Cameroon will face their toughest task yet – a game with the favorites Morocco on January 9th.

A free-kick in the third minute saw a great cross coming at Burnley’s Lyle Foster, who managed to jump perfectly, but his header flied just over the bar at the near post. Four minutes later it should have been 2-0 for Bafana Bafana already. Relebohile Mofokeng tricked Cameroon defender only to fire over the bar. Foster eventually scored after 15 minutes, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside. But Cameroon scored first, even though they struggled to keep possession during the first half an hour. After a corner, Brighton’s Baleba hit it from just inside the area. A deflection caused a pinball in the box and the ball came into the path of an unmarked Junior Tchamadeu, and the Stoke man side-foots it past the keeper for 1-0.

Whatever was said in the locker room during half-time obviously didn’t work since Hugo Broos' side conceded after just two minutes. It was a lovely finish from Christian Kofane, who made the near-post run and glanced a header across the keeper and into the far corner for 2-0. And still South Africa had two great chances to equalize. Foster used his shoulder to pass the ball to Kabini, in the 63rd minute, but he fired straight at the keeper from just a few meters. Mokeana took a particularly well-placed free kick minutes later, but his right-footed shot was deflected behind for a corner by Epassy. Bafana Bafana finally scored the goal in the 88th minute through Magkopa, but Cameroon managed to keep their net for the remaining few minutes. 

AFCON 2025 - ROUND OF 16

Saturday

Senegal - Sudan 3-1 (2-1)

/Gueye 29, 45+3, Mbaye 77 - Abdallah 6/

Mali - Tunisia 1-1 (3-2 after penalties)

/Sinayoko 90+6 pen - Chaouat 88/

Sunday

Morocco - Tanzania 1-0 (0-0)

/Diaz 64/

South Africa - Cameroon 1-2 (0-1)

/Makgopa 88 - Tchamadeu 34, Kofane 47/

Monday

19.00: (1.48) Egypt (4.10) Benin (7.50)

22.00: (1.40) Nigeria (4.50) Mozambique (8.50)

Tuesday

19.00: (2.00) Algeria (3.35) DR Congo (4.00)

22.00: (1.90) Ivory Coast (3.40) Burkina Faso (4.30)

***odds are subject to change***