South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has urged Bafana Bafana to learn from their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations disappointment with the 2026 World Cup just five months away.
Hugo Broos’ side were eliminated from the tournament in Morocco on Sunday after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Cameroon in the round of 16, having finished third at the 2023 edition.
The Indomitable Lions scored either side of half-time through Junior Tchamadeu (34′) and Christian Kofane (47′) before Evidence Makgopa pulled one back two minutes from time.
South Africa were a pale shadow of the team that looked like such a cohesive unit to qualify for the global showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the United States later this year, struggling to get over the line against Angola and Zimbabwe in the group stages.
McKenzie, who was present at the Al Medina Stadium for the clash with Cameroon, criticised the national team’s profligacy after Lyle Foster, Relebohile Mofokeng and Samukele Kabini all wasted good chances to opening the scoring before the 10-minute mark.
“Missing a clear goal is understandable, but missing multiple clear goals is inexcusable at this level,” McKenzie said on X.
“Bafana Bafana should have wrapped this game up in the first half. We still love you boys, but learn from this because you are going to a bigger stage soon.”
