Bafana book Afcon qualification without playing as South Sudan stun Congo

Bafana Bafana have qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations without kicking a ball after South Sudan defeated the Republic of the Congo 3-2 in a Group K clash on Thursday.

That victory means Congo (four points) cannot catch either South Africa, currently second in the group on eight points, or leaders Uganda, who have 10 points.

The top two teams from each group qualifies for Africa's most prestigious international tournament, which will be held in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.

Bafana Bafana qualifies for AFCON!!!#BafanaPride#AfconQualifier pic.twitter.com/WtnsyC27LD

Hugo Broos' chargers are currently preparing to face Uganda away on Friday (15:00 SA time) before returning to South Africa to host South Sudan in Cape Town on Tuesday (18:00), Bafana's first match in the Mother City after a nine-year hiatus. 

Earlier this week, Broos was confident that his team would qualify for Afcon, saying that if they didn't, he would take the first flight back to Belgium, never to return to South Africa.

"I know that a few years ago (in 2011), South Africa was dancing on the pitch (thinking that they had qualified for the 2012 Afcon), but they hadn't qualified. So, we can't make a mistake," Broos said.

"If we lose these two games, five minutes after the last game, I will fly to Belgium. You can be sure of it."

However, Broos, who has turned around South Africa's fortunes in recent years, has no such worry now.  

The 71-year-old, who arrived in South Africa to replace Molefi Ntseki in July 2021, becomes the first Bafana coach to qualify for back-to-back Afcon tournaments.