Pretoria, South Africa, 29 December 2025 – Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Ms Peace Mabe, has congratulated Bafana Bafana following their victory over Zimbabwe, which secured South Africa’s progression to the group stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025.
South Africa’s result in Group B confirms Bafana Bafana’s qualification for the tournament’s group stages for a record eighth time. The performance reflects disciplined execution, tactical organisation, and an ability to manage high-pressure continental competition.
Official CAF match statistics indicate that South Africa controlled key phases of play, demonstrated defensive stability, and capitalised on critical opportunities, limiting Zimbabwe’s effectiveness in the final third. The outcome reinforces Bafana Bafana’s growing consistency in structured tournament football.
Deputy Minister Mabe said the achievement aligns directly with the constitutional and legislative mandate entrusted to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
“In terms of Section 24 and Section 27 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, as well as the National Sport and Recreation Act, the State carries a responsibility to promote sport as a vehicle for nation-building, social cohesion, and international competitiveness. Bafana Bafana’s progression reflects the outcomes envisaged by this mandate.”
She emphasised that the result must be understood within the framework of national sport policy rather than as an isolated sporting moment.
“The White Paper on Sport and Recreation and the National Sport and Recreation Plan place clear obligations on government to support high-performance excellence while strengthening development pathways from grassroots to elite level. Progress at AFCON is a direct expression of these prescripts in action — where planning, governance, and investment translate into performance on the field.”
Deputy Minister Mabe further noted that international competition plays a strategic role in advancing South Africa’s standing and unity.
“Football remains one of the most accessible and unifying sports in our country. When the national team performs on the African continent, it advances not only sporting objectives but also social cohesion, national pride, and South Africa’s visibility within international sport.”
She acknowledged the collective effort behind the qualification, including the technical team, administrative structures, medical and performance staff, and the broader development ecosystem that feeds into the national team.
“Our role as government is to ensure that athletes are supported within a properly governed system — one that is ethical, accountable, and aligned with national priorities. Success is never accidental; it is built through compliance with policy, disciplined administration, and long-term commitment.”
As Bafana Bafana prepare for the next phase of the tournament, the Deputy Minister called for continued focus and public support.
“Qualification is an important milestone, but it is not the destination. The team must remain focused, disciplined, and humble as the competition progresses. South Africa stands firmly behind them as they carry the nation’s flag forward.”
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture congratulates Bafana Bafana on their progression and reaffirms its commitment to advancing football and all sporting codes in line with South Africa’s constitutional, legislative, and policy framework.
