South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan has wished Bafana Bafana well ahead of the start of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign on Friday.
Coach Hugo Broos’ charges open their AFCON account when they face Uganda at home at Orlando Stadium on Friday, 6 September (6pm), and then they travel to South Sudan to play their second match in the group on Tuesday, 10 September.
Dr Jordaan said memories of the team winning bronze at the previous AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire in February 2024 are still very fresh in the mind as the senior South African men’s national team begins the journey to the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
“We want to wish the team well as they begin this journey and we want them to know that we as a country are fully behind each and every member of the Bafana Bafana camp,” Dr Jordaan said.
Dr Jordaan also sent his congratulations to goalkeeper Ronwen Williams after the Bafana Bafana captain was nominated for FIFA’s Ballon d’Or Yashin Trophy. Williams was the only African among the 10 nominees for the award. The award is named after Russian shot-stopper Lev Yashin who is widely considered as an all-time great in the position. He is credited to have kept over 250 clean sheets and also saved over 150 penalties for both club and country.
The SAFA President sent a letter to Williams congratulating him on the milestone.“The South African Football Association (SAFA), The National Executive and I wish to congratulate you for your unique and special performance in the AFCON Tournament in Cote’ D’Ivoire,” Dr Jordaan said in the letter.
“You became the first and the only South African, and the first and only goalkeeper in Africa to be nominated for the prestigious Yachin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or Awards. Congratulations. You have been exceptional for both Sundowns and Bafana Bafana. South Africa and the South African Football community wish you all the success and celebrate the fact that the mere nomination is a recognition of your ability and your special contribution to South African and African Football. Once again congratulations,” he said.
Williams will miss the AFCON qualifiers against Uganda at Orlando Stadium on Friday, 6 September (6pm) and Tuesday’s clash away to South Sudan as he is still recovering from injury.
