Bafana Bafana’s resurgence is captivating South African football fans, reigniting hopes of a return to their glory days. Their electrifying performances in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers have transformed their reputation, with big crowds flocking to see the national team in action.

For years, South Africa’s path to AFCON was marked by inconsistency, often relying on other teams’ results to secure qualification. This time, Bafana showcased dominance, topping Group K with two games to spare — a feat not achieved since their back-to-back qualifications for the 2000 and 2002 tournaments.

Their journey to next year’s AFCON in Morocco was sealed even before their penultimate group game, thanks to South Sudan’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Congo in Juba. This result confirmed Bafana’s place, and they followed it up with a clinical 2-0 win over Uganda in Kampala.

The crowning moment came at a sold-out Cape Town Stadium, where Bafana delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over South Sudan. The team’s bond with fans has never been stronger, with growing belief that this squad, led by a mix of seasoned players and emerging stars, could finally end South Africa’s 28-year wait for another AFCON title.

Their bronze medal at this year’s AFCON in Ivory Coast marked the first podium finish in 24 years, signaling a turning point. With confidence soaring, the question remains: is this the team to bring AFCON glory back to South Africa?