Siyabonga Ngezana says Bafana Bafana’s inexperienced players need to grow as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations progresses.
Bafana Bafana defender Siyabonga Ngezana has expressed the need for their inexperienced players to grow as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations progresses, with Cameroon awaiting them in the round of 16.
Ngezana is of one of 14 players in Hugo Broos’ squad who are getting their first taste of AFCON in Morocco and the Steaua Bucuresti centre-back made his tournament debut in the 2-1 win over Angola on December 22.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Mohau Nkota, Sipho Mbule, Lyle Foster, Bathusi Aubaas, Tshepang Moremi, Thalente Mbatha and Relebohile Mofokeng have also been given their bows at various stages in the opening three matches as South Africa finished runners-up in Group B.
Broos’ side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to 10-man Egypt on December 26 before bouncing back with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe three days later which saw Oswin Appollis score the winning goal from the penalty spot on 82 minutes.
Ngezana admits that their inexperience will lead to errors, but insists the important part is learning how to deal with those situations in a positive manner.
“It is a difficult tournament to play because the tempo is high and you need to adjust as quickly as possible,” the 28-year-old said.
“We have a lot of inexperienced players in the squad – 14 players who have never played in this tournament before. It is our first time, and we need to cherish the experience and grow as the tournament progresses.
“You saw the intensity of the game against Zimbabwe. We scored, and they replied; we scored again, and they also scored again, but we never gave up.
“Mistakes are going to happen in the game, but the most important thing is not to drop our heads and carry on.”
