Aaron Mokoena: Bafana Bafana's Afcon mission to ‘raise the bar'
Mokoena though, said it was the best way for Bafana to prove themselves.
Improving on their previous exploits, however, will be no easy feat as it would mean making the final of the African showpiece footballing event.
Bafana famously went on to finish third at Afcon last year, and with the next tournament coming up in Morocco in December - the current crop of SA stars will have another chance to show how much progress they have made.
Former Bafana Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena believes South Africa can go even further than they did at the previous Africa Cup of Nations ( Afcon ).
Raising the Bar: South African Football's Triumphs and Future Prospects
'Going there, it's all about really raising the bar. It's never easy. I have tasted that. I know it's never easy to play in the African Cup of Nations. But I always say to be the best, you have to rub shoulders with the best. And on our continent, you get the best in the Africa Cup of Nations,' Mokoena told SportsBoom.co.za.
'Hopefully, the guys will absolutely raise the bar. I think it's been a good year, not only for Bafana Bafana. Let's look from the bottom. We had under-17 qualify for the World Cup, the Under-20s have won the African Cup of Nations and have qualified for the World Cup, and now our Bafana have qualified for the African Cup of Nations. We're in a good position now to qualify for the World Cup as Bafana Bafana.'
With Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates both making it to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League (the Brazilians also made it to the final), it was another satisfying year for SA football fans, believed Mokoena.
'I remember we came back with the bronze (AFCON 2024) and it's been a good year for South African football, really. I mean, we had Sundowns competing in the CAF Champions League, which is good for Bafana Bafana. We had Orlando Pirates competing in the Champions League. That's a plus. We had Stellenbosch competing in the Confederation Cup.
'So, the more we have teams competing in African competitions, the better for our South African football. I mean, next season, to show that there is a progression, there is growth among the players and the clubs, we will have four teams that will be participating in the African continent competition.'
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Agent:No deal agreed between superstar and Mamelodi Sundowns!
Mamelodi Sundowns could be set to lose on of their best players ahead of next season, according to reports. Sundowns have barely recovered from the heartache and pain of losing the CAF Champions League final to Pyramids FC. Now it looks like they may be set to see another rival on the continent pinch one of their top talents. This comes after yet another underwhelming season by their standards, where they failed to get over the line in the Champions League. Even though Sundowns won their eighth Betway Premiership title in a row, that was their only trophy yet again. Now as the squad seeks to go again for greener pastures, a rebuild may be necessitated. Already players such as Sipho Mbule and Rivaldo Coetzee have been released by Sundowns. another player that will see his contract expire at the end of the season is Khuliso Mudau. The player has been a mainstay for Sundowns over the years, even for Bafana Bafana. He is also expected to go to the FIFA Club World Cup with the Brazilians. Just last week, this publication reported that Tunisian giants Esperance were in advanced talks to sign Mudau. The initial report coming from Tunisian paper Nessma Sport claims it would be a free transfer. That may not be true, as the player still has an option for one more year. That is thought to have already been exercised by Sundowns. The only worry is that Sundowns have been trying to tie Mudau down to a new longer-term deal. According to his agent Steve Kapeluschnik both parties are wide apart on an agreement. 'We have been negotiating for some time now but we haven't found each other yet on a new deal. There is no agreement on a new contract yet,' said Kapeluschnik to Soccer-Laduma on negotiations for a new deal for Mudau at Sundowns. Should Mudau sign a new long-term deal with Sundowns or seek a move abroad? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@ or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Big call for Pitso to return to Sundowns
Mamelodi Sundowns seemingly moved on from the CAF Champions League final heartbreak at the hands of Pyramids FC. However, the club's former winger, Anthony Laffor, is clearly not a fan of coach Miguel Cardoso and the political dynamics inside the club. The Liberian was part of the only Sundowns squad to win the club's only CAF Champions League title in 2016. According to Laffor, Sundowns' former coach, Pitso Mosimane, who brought the title to Chloorkop, needs to be re-appointed at Kabo Yellow. Transfer news: Mako said 'yes' to Chiefs and 'no' to Pirates Anthony Laffor celebrates with Bangaly Soumahoro of Mamelodi Sundowns during the 2018 Shell Helix Cup match between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 21 July 2018 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix 'Kaizer Chiefs bosses signed me, not the coach' – Gilbert 'Coach Pitso Mosimane, only if you could get a chance to take over our beloved club Sundowns, next season Champions League is sure. Let us put football politics aside,' Laffor called out on his Instagram account. 'It's about that time Pitso Mosimane comes back home. Only he knows how to coach Sundowns. I've been there, I know exactly what I'm talking about,' Laffor concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Sibisi grateful for Broos' support as he prepares to captain Bafana
Nkosinathi Sibisi has embraced his leadership role with Bafana Bafana, thanking coach Hugo Broos for his faith ahead of Tuesday's friendly against Mozambique. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Bafana Bafana stand-in captain Nkosinathi Sibisi is grateful to coach Hugo Broos for standing by him during times of scrutiny regarding his national team call-ups. Sibisi has been one of the ever-present players in the national team set-up since Broos took the reins more than four years ago. However, his selections were not always based on form, as he was often in and out of the Orlando Pirates defensive unit due to injuries, poor form and suspensions. Broos admitted that it was not easy to continue selecting Sibisi when he was not playing regularly, but believed his presence and natural skillset remained valuable to the team. Fortunately for the Belgian coach, his faith has recently been rewarded. Sibisi featured prominently for Pirates this past season, missing only three Premiership matches. Luke Le Roux on the integration of young players into the Bafana Bafana team#BafanaPride @SABC_Sport — Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 8, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ As a result, Broos named him one of the temporary captains for the current international window, alongside Fawaaz Basadien, stepping in for regular captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Basadien captained the team in the first international friendly against Tanzania at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane last Friday, which ended in a goalless draw. Sibisi, meanwhile, is set to lead the side against Mozambique in another friendly at the same venue on Tuesday at 7.30pm, and he is thankful to Broos for his continued belief. 'It's a privilege and an honour for me,' said Sibisi, who is also vice-captain at Pirates. 'I'd like to thank the coach for showing confidence in me. We have been together since the very first camp he started. 'There were question marks at times whenever I was here. So, to be able to lead the team tomorrow (tonight) will be a huge honour for me.' Khulumani Ndamane shares the emotions he felt on Friday when he made his Bafana Bafana debut against Tanzania and also won Man of the Match.#BafanaPride@SABC_Sport — Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 8, 2025 Sibisi has formed a solid partnership with youngster Mbekezeli Mbokazi at centre-back for Pirates after the latter was promoted to the senior team by coach José Riveiro. That partnership is set to continue at international level, as Broos confirmed in a pre-match press conference that the duo could start together against the Mambas. 'I've played with Mbokazi at club level, so it won't be any different in the national team,' Sibisi said. 'He's a very humble boy, and he takes instructions well. So, it's very easy for me to play alongside him. I don't think it'll be a big adjustment for him. As the coach has mentioned, it might be a perfect choice for me to partner him – to give him guidance and the confidence to take his chance.' Including Sibisi and Mbokazi, there are six other Pirates players in the current Bafana squad, making up the largest contingent from any club. However, the 23-member squad selected for the two friendlies has gelled well, with no signs of division along club lines. 'The camaraderie is key. I think everyone is playing their part – regardless of whether it's guys from Pirates or Stellies. When we come together, we are representing Bafana,' Sibisi said. 'We have to put that aside and play as one. We know that if we play as one, there's a better chance of us winning the game ahead of us.' Sibisi is also in camp with some of the defenders – Basadien and Thabo Moloisane (both from Stellenbosch) – who could be his rivals for the PSL Defender of the Season award. 'The guys you've mentioned are really top, top players. Fawaaz and Thabo have been doing well for Stellenbosch,' Sibisi said. 'It's always nice when we meet. There's no sort of competition between us. We just try to do the best we can for our clubs and hope that is rewarded. 'As for the Defender of the Season award, we'll just let God take His way. If it is meant to be, then it will be. If not, we will just continue.'
