Bafana Bafana have moved up just one position in the latest FIFA rankings despite a disappointing performance in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team, managed by Hugo Broos, was eliminated in the round of 16 by Cameroon earlier this month. Entering the tournament as dark horses, Bafana failed to impress, and their early exit was not a surprise.
The team’s lacklustre showing at AFCON was a stark contrast to their recent World Cup qualifier form, and it seems that pressure may have affected their performance.
Bafana Bafana gain one stop in the rankings
In the previous AFCON, Bafana had exceeded expectations by finishing third, but much more was anticipated from them in 2025. Unfortunately, they launched their campaign against Angola under pressure and only managed to secure a late winner from Lyle Foster to earn a point.
Despite the challenges faced, Bafana did not see an improvement in their rankings. Before the AFCON, they were ranked 61st in the world and 11th in Africa.
A strong performance in the tournament could have propelled them into the top 50 for the first time in over a decade. However, they only managed to win two out of their four matches. Since both Angola and Zimbabwe are ranked below them, their wins did not significantly boost their standing. Losses to Egypt and Cameroon also negatively impacted their ranking.
Ultimately, as only African teams were competing, Bafana’s rankings saw minimal change; they climbed just one spot from 61st to 60th. With more friendlies scheduled for March, there is potential for Broos’s team to secure wins against two highly ranked sides and possibly break into the top 50.
In contrast, DR Congo, which was ranked 60th before AFCON, has impressively jumped to 48th in the latest rankings, reflecting their successful tournament performance.