KORHOGO, IVORY COAST – JANUARY 21: Thapelo Morena of South Africa during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations match between South Africa and Namibia at Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly on January 21, 2024 in Korhogo, Ivory Coast. (Photo by Segun Ogunfeyitimi/Gallo Images)
Bafana Bafana have a really good opportunity to progress to the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations, and Soccer Laduma takes a look at the permutations for what South Africa need to do and who they could face in the next round.
After starting with a 2-0 loss to Mali in their Group E opener, Bafana impressed with a 4-0 thrashing of Namibia on Sunday and surged from bottom-place to second in the group.
The job is far from done though as South Africa turn their attention to Tunisia in the group’s final match and a range of possible scenarios could occur, as follows:
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If Bafana Win
The simplest of all is that a win over Tunisia will definitely ensure SA a spot in the knockout stage and in one of the first-two positions in the group regardless of the result of the other match in the group between Mali and Namibia.
L16 Opponent: Burkina Faso
If Bafana Draw
In the event of a draw, by any nature Bafana should finish in second-place, with their chances of first-place unlikely, particularly if Mali beat Namibia. SA will then keep an eye on events in Group F where Morocco are expected to top the group, but DR Congo and Zambia each also have a chance to overtake the North Africans in their respective last fixture.
Possible Possible L16 Opponent: Morocco
If Bafana Lose By A High Score
Now, should Hugo Broos’ men lose by three or more goals to the Carthage Eagles, then they would probably be eliminated from Afcon even if they do finish third in the group.
If Bafana Lose Narrowly
If the South Africans lose by a goal or two, they could still progress from third spot because in other groups Ivory Coast have three points with a goal difference of minus three, and Ghana have two points (both in third spot). However if Namibia draw against Mali, and Bafana lose to Tunisia by any score, then SA would drop to fourth in the group and will have to go back home early.
Possible L16 Opponent: Angola
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