Bafana Bafana’s journey at 2025 Africa Cup of Nations came to an end after losing 2-1 to Cameroon on Sunday evening.
Nkosinathi Sibisi, Samukele Kabini, Bathusi Aubaas and Relebohile Mofokeng started for Bafana, with Aubrey Modiba, Sipho Mbule, Sphephelo Sithole and Tshepang Moremi dropping to the bench.
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Mofokeng should’ve had a dream start on seven minutes following a clear chance outside the area after a defensive error, but he sent his effort over the crossbar.
Bafana remained on the front-foot and had the ball in the net through Lyle Foster, but he had failed to beat the high-line and saw his strike disallowed for offside.
The Indomitable Lions needed to change personnel in the 21st minute as Darlin Yongwa picked up an injury and rightfully made way for Mahamadou Nagida.
Bafana were made to pay for their missed chances 12 minutes later when Junior Tchamadeu capitalised on a loose ball following a corner-kick and curled in expertly, giving Ronwen Williams no chance.
The Indomitable Lions doubled the lead a minute in the second half after Christian Kofane leaped in at the near post and headed in the far corner.
Bafana now had their backs against the wall, but remained confident and played on the front-foot as the Cameroonians sat back in their own half.
As a result, there was activity on the Bafana bench midway in the second period, with Evidence Makgopa replacing Oswin Appollis and Kabini making way for Modiba.
Midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who at the last tournament won many hearts with a telling free-kick against Morocco, looked to repeat the same feat with 20 minutes remaining but goalkeeper Devis Epassy pulled off a superb save.
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Bafana’s spell of pressure paid dividends with two minutes to go when Makgopa side-footed in a cross from Modiba.
The goal injected optimism in the Bafana camp, but the Indomitable Lions maintained calmness and advanced to the quarter-finals.
