Bafana Bafana are just one win away from securing their place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, and they head into a crucial away clash against Congo on Tuesday with a strong track record in AFCON qualifiers.
South Africa’s 5-0 thrashing of Congo in Gqeberha on Friday makes them favorites to secure the three points, but a tricky encounter awaits them in Brazzaville, where conditions will be far from ideal.
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2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifer
⚽️ Congo Brazzaville vs Bafana Bafana#BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/7yc3gsrFgS
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 13, 2024
South Africa’s Strong away form in AFCON qualifiers
Historically, South Africa has performed admirably on the road in AFCON qualifying matches. Out of the 33 away ties they’ve played in the competition, Bafana Bafana have won 13, drawn 12, and lost just eight times.
Although they have faced challenges in recent years, especially with three losses in their last five away games, their overall record demonstrates resilience and capability when playing in hostile environments.
One of the most memorable away wins came in their last outing against South Sudan, where a dramatic 95th-minute winner from Thalente Mbatha sealed a thrilling 3-2 victory. This match highlighted Bafana’s ability to keep pushing until the very end, a mentality they will need in Brazzaville.
Despite the tough pitch conditions expected in Congo, South Africa has shown in the past that they can adapt and secure vital wins when it matters most. They have outscored their opponents 45-36 in their AFCON away games, a testament to their attacking prowess and ability to grind out results even in difficult away fixtures.
Bafana’s Early Struggles and Resurgence
South Africa’s away journey in AFCON qualifiers began with some tough defeats in the early 1990s. They lost their first two away qualifiers, falling 4-1 to Zimbabwe and 3-0 to Zambia. However, their fortunes changed when they claimed their first away win against Mauritius with a 3-1 victory in 1993. From that point, Bafana Bafana went on a remarkable unbeaten run in away qualifiers, which lasted until 1999 when they suffered a 1-0 loss to Gabon.
The team’s ability to bounce back from setbacks has been one of their defining qualities. After their loss to Gabon, they went another 12 years without suffering an away defeat, demonstrating their ability to travel across Africa and come away with points.
In more recent years, Bafana Bafana have had mixed results on the road. Notable away defeats include a 3-1 loss to Mauritania in 2015 and back-to-back 2-0 defeats to Ghana and Sudan during the last set of qualifiers. However, when the pressure was on, South Africa delivered a vital 2-1 victory over Liberia that secured their place in the 2023 AFCON finals.
Bafana Bafana have landed in Congo Brazzaville and now about to transfer to the hotel#BafanaPride#AfconQualifier pic.twitter.com/RYwLls0rC9
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 13, 2024
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Memorable Away Wins for Bafana Bafana
South Africa’s journey in AFCON qualifiers has produced several iconic away wins. One of the standout moments came in 2001 when Thabo Mngomeni’s spectacular overhead kick secured a 2-1 victory over Congo, earning the CAF Goal of the Year award. Another remarkable triumph was their 2-0 win over Burundi in 2003, where Teboho Mokoena found the back of the net just 40 seconds into the match.
An Aaron Mokoena header gave Bafana a crucial 1-0 win over Zambia in 2006, while their dominant 3-0 victory against Sudan in 2014 set them on course for AFCON qualification the following year.
Arguably the best away win in South Africa’s AFCON qualifying history came in 2017 when they defeated Nigeria 2-0 in Uyo. Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tau scored the goals in what is still considered one of Bafana’s finest performances on foreign soil. This victory not only boosted their confidence but also sent a message to the rest of Africa that South Africa is a force to be reckoned with.
The Challenge Ahead: Congo in Brazzaville
While Bafana Bafana’s 5-0 win over Congo in their previous encounter makes them favorites on paper, the match in Brazzaville will be a different challenge altogether. Playing on a rough pitch in front of a hostile crowd could limit their ability to play their usual free-flowing, attacking football. Congo, despite being at the bottom of Group D, will be motivated to defend their home turf and prevent South Africa from sealing their AFCON qualification at their expense.
The key for Bafana will be to maintain their composure and stick to the game plan. Their experience in tough away matches, coupled with their ability to find goals when it matters most, will be crucial as they seek to secure all three points. Coach Hugo Broos will rely on his experienced players, such as Percy Tau and Thapelo Morena, to guide the team through what could be a challenging 90 minutes in Brazzaville.
