After a spirited third-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, a resurgent Bafana Bafana has reignited a nation’s hope. The question on every South African fan’s mind is no longer about mere participation, but about ultimate glory: Can this team replicate the magic of 1996 and become champions of Africa once more? Their journey at AFCON 2025 has begun, but to understand their true standing, we must look beyond the group stage and examine their official position among the continent’s elite.
THE LATEST CAF NATIONS RANKINGS AS UPDATED SINCE 22 DECEMBER 2025
As of the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings, which serve as the definitive CAF standings, Bafana Bafana find themselves in a period of transition. They currently sit just outside the continental top 10, in 11th place among African nations. This position is a snapshot of their recent journey—a significant improvement from the darker days of being ranked in the 70s globally, yet a reminder of the gap still to be closed to reach the pinnacle they once occupied.
To appreciate this ranking, one must look back at the benchmark. South Africa’s golden era peaked in August 1996, just months after their iconic AFCON triumph. They were ranked 16th in the world and, crucially, number one in Africa. This historical context is vital; it shows what is possible and sets the standard against which all modern Bafana teams are measured.
Bafana Bafana’s current position at 11th in Africa reflects steady progress but highlights the competitive mountain to climb. Image: Inside FIFA.
DECODING THE RANKINGS: MORE THAN JUST WINS AND LOSSES
The FIFA ranking system is often misunderstood as a simple win-loss ledger. In reality, it’s a sophisticated points-based algorithm that evaluates performance with nuance. Points are gained or lost based on:
- Match Result: Win, draw, or loss.
- Match Importance: A competitive AFCON qualifier or finals match carries exponentially more weight (a multiplier of 25) than a friendly (multiplier of 10). This is why AFCON 2025 performances are so critical for ranking movement.
- Opponent Strength: Defeating a top-ranked team like Morocco yields far more points than beating a lower-ranked side.
- Regional Strength & Goal Difference: The margin of victory and the relative strength of the confederation also factor in.
This system explains why Bafana’s strong 2023 AFCON run provided a major boost, and why consistent performance in high-stakes matches is the only path back into the top echelon.
THE COACH’S CALIBRATED VIEW: MANAGING EXPECTATIONS
Despite the public’s burgeoning belief, head coach Hugo Broos has deliberately tempered expectations. Before AFCON 2025, he explicitly rejected the “favourites” tag for South Africa. His reasoning was strategic and grounded:
“I will not say to you that South Africa are favourites,” Broos stated. “For me, the favourite team to win the tournament is Morocco because they are a very good team and they are playing at home… We will have to wait and see after the group stages which teams will still be there.”
This is not a lack of confidence, but a seasoned manager’s realism. It shifts pressure onto hosts Morocco and other giants like Senegal and Ivory Coast, allowing his team to operate with the underdog’s freedom and fight—a psychological edge that has served them well.
BAFANA BAFANA’S AFCON 2025 START
THE AFCON 2025 LAUNCHPAD
The campaign has begun promisingly with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Angola. This match exemplified the team’s new identity under Broos: resilience, tactical discipline, and the ability to grind out results even when not at their fluid best. Such wins in competitive fixtures are the exact type of results that steadily improve a team’s ranking and tournament pedigree.
Now, the path becomes clearer. The upcoming clash with Egypt is more than just a group game; it’s a direct benchmark against a traditional powerhouse. A positive result would not only secure early qualification for the knockout rounds but also send a powerful message about Bafana’s legitimacy as contenders. Each subsequent round in Morocco offers a dual prize: progression toward the trophy and valuable ranking points that would propel South Africa back toward the African top 5.
CONCLUSION: RANKINGS AS A PROGRESS REPORT, NOT A PREDICTION
Bafana Bafana’s 11th-place CAF ranking is a fair reflection of their recent resurgence—a team on the rise but not yet restored to its historic zenith. However, rankings are retrospective. AFCON 2025 is live, and tournaments have a unique power to rewrite narratives overnight. The blend of Broos’s pragmatic leadership, a cohesive squad unit, and the momentum from 2023 creates a compelling case. While Morocco rightfully holds the favourite’s mantle, South Africa possesses the key ingredients for a deep run: a strong defence, tactical clarity, and a growing belief. The dream of lifting a first AFCON title in 29 years is no longer fantasy; it is a challenging but tangible goal, and every match in Morocco is a step toward making it a reality.