Hlompho Kekana tips confident Bafana to deliver in Morocco

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Hlompho Kekana has backed the self-assured new generation of South African players to deliver a strong showing at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to be hosted in Morocco.

Bafana have been on a steady upward trajectory in recent years, and after reaching a major milestone by qualifying for next year’s Fifa World Cup—to be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada—they have defied the steep odds that once stood before them.

With that achievement secured, the AFCON represents another vital step in their progress and a chance to build momentum ahead of the global stage.

South Africa finished third in the previous edition of the tournament and has since displayed a level of consistency in both squad selection and performances that has re-established them as one of the top footballing nations on the continent.

It is this consistency that has impressed Kekana, who was part of the Bafana side that made it to the quarter-finals of the 2019 AFCON before losing 2-1 to Nigeria, who went on to finish third in that tournament.

“The preparation towards the competition was key,” Kekana reflected on their 2019 campaign.

“And more than that, the players wanted to do better in the competition because we had had a bad run towards major competitions leading up to 2019. 

“We wanted to fix that as players, and even though we didn’t reach the final, we were satisfied with the performances we gave.”

The former Mamelodi Sundowns captain has tipped the current crop of players to do even better, praising their chemistry and the continuity that has developed under the current setup.

“I foresee this new generation doing better because they have the team and the consistency in terms of the call-ups. The players from last year’s AFCON will be at the next tournament, and that is consistency.

“That will give them the edge when it comes to playing in the nature of this competition. I am certain they will want success even more than we did, and I’m quite sure they can go all the way.

“They have built relationships in terms of being in the national team setup. In the last five call-ups, they have played together, and that chemistry carries onto the field—you know where your teammate will be, where to pass, and so on.

“Those relationships come with playing many matches and preparing together. In our time, call-ups weren’t as consistent.”

Kekana, who played under British coach Stuart Baxter at that 2019 tournament, also took time to praise the work done by current coach Hugo Broos, who recently became only the third coach after Carlos Queiroz and Clive Barker to guide Bafana to World Cup qualification.

“I love Hugo Broos… I love him in the sense that he has laid the platform for so many players to express themselves, and he’s backed them. You need a coach who has your back and allows you to play freely because representing the national team is not easy,” Kekana continued.

“He gives them the confidence to want to play for the national team, and there’s nothing that makes me happier than seeing players perform in the national jersey.”

With the current Bafana squad heavily represented by Orlando Pirates and Sundowns players, Kekana believes that CAF competitions' experience will prove crucial on the continental stage.

“I was sad when Orlando Pirates were eliminated from the Champions League. It’s a tournament that helps a lot when it comes to national team and continental football because players grow from such challenges," said Kekana. 

“When you look at Mamelodi Sundowns players in the national team, you can see the difference in how they adapt to pressure situations. It was going to be nice for Pirates to be there because they have so many good players on their team, and they are currently doing well.”