Fatigue and wasted goalscoring opportunities saw Bafana Bafana succumb to a 3-0 defeat against Angola in the 2025 COSAFA Cup final in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
It was a disappointing conclusion to the tournament after high expectations based on some promising performances ahead of the championship round.
Bafana Bafana struggled to find their rhythm as players displayed signs of fatigue throughout the match. They could not muster the energy needed to press decisively against a disciplined Angolan side. It seemed their previous game against Comoros may have contributed to a loss of sharpness in the final.
The South Africans had numerous chances to score early in the match. However, a combination of wasted opportunities and a lack of composure in the final third ultimately saw their hopes for glory dashed.
With this victory, the Angolans secured their fifth COSAFA Cup title, matching South Africa’s record. It was back-to-back conquests FOR Angola after their 5-0 demolition of Namibia in last year’s final, in Port Elizabeth.
Angola’s star player, Laurindo Dilson Maria Aurélio, more commonly known as Depu, scored two goals and was the outstanding player in the tournament.
With a remarkable 13 goals in just 10 COSAFA Cup appearances, including back-to-back Golden Boots, his talent will not go unnoticed by PSL clubs seeking to boost their attacking options.
Bafana Bafana coach Vela Khumalo said, despite the defeat, several players could be valuable additions to the senior national squad in the future.
“We tried really. We wanted to be even more offensive, but the energy was somehow depleted. It is one of those things we accept and move on,” said Khumalo.
“Like I’m saying, we took silver, and it was a good exposure for our boys. One or two in this team, I think, will beef up the senior Bafana Bafana squad.
“We played against solid opposition. It was Angola’s first team.”
For this group of players, the focus now shifts to the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), where South Africa will face tough competition in Group C against Uganda, Niger, Guinea, and Algeria.
The tournament will kick off on 2 August, across three East African countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This young Bafana Bafana team will have an opportunity to regroup and refine their skills on the continental stage.
Unlike the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CHAN tournament features only players who play in their national domestic leagues. That means no European-based stars – only local talent representing their countries.
It is a showcase of Africa’s best homegrown players, often providing a springboard for emerging stars to secure moves abroad.
