On Thursday, South Africa qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when South Sudan shocked the DRC with a 3-2 win in Juba, and the first mission was achieved. 

Bafana moved to the top of Group K the following day by beating Uganda 2-0 at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.

The match remains important for South Africa as next year the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico will resume, and Bafana will want to build on their momentum and take rhythm into those games, which includes Nigeria.

While the pressure is off, the Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos and captain Ronwen Williams aren’t satisfied yet.

The 72-year-old Broos said tonight’s game remains hugely important.

“I think you are looking at two very happy men after a qualifying game against Uganda last Friday, and at the other end, you are also looking at two men who are still not satisfied,” said Broos.

Oswin Appollis and Thapelo Morena. Photo: Bafana Bafana

“We’re not satisfied because we want to win the game in Cape Town – this is not a friendly game. For us, it’s an important game because we want to be first in the group.

“We also want to show something, and if my information is right, to the crowd who will be in the stadium. We had two amazing evenings in Bloemfontein and in PE with the crowds in the stadium, and with a nice win. We will do that again here in Cape Town. That means that we are still motivated for the game.

“Again, it’s very important for us that we are or that we can finalise those qualifiers first in the group. It should be the cherry on the top like the people say.”

Tuesday night’s game at the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point kicks off at 18:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg