AFCON 2025 Matchday 1 Preview & Predictions

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South Africa vs Angola Predictions - Palancas Negras to draw with Bafana in Group B

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 20 Dec 2025

John Eastwood 20 Dec 2025

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South Africa is unbeaten in 22 straight matches under Hugo Broos.
Angola recently topped their AFCON group, but they're drawing many recent fixtures.
A predicted 1-1 draw with both teams likely scoring.

Expired

South Africa to draw with Angola in Group B opener on Monday (Getty Images).

South Africa vs Angola Predictions

A tense opener is backed in Group B. I’m tipping a draw with both teams on target.
South Africa vs Angola Predictions
Key Stats – Chippa in dire form whilst Chiefs are strong defensively
Bafana Bafana Have the H2H Edge
South Africa Looking Strong – Unbeaten in 22 under Hugo Broos
Angola – Draw Specialists of Late
Predicted Lineups & Team News

Key Stats – Bafana Hard to Beat, Angola Tend to Draw

South Africa are undefeated in 22 matches (excludes B squad internationals).
South Africa have drawn 2 of their last 3 competitive matches.
Angola have drawn their last 2 competitive matches.
Angola have seen BTTS Yes in 4 of their last 6 matches.

Bafana Bafana Have the H2H Edge

These nations have met on 17 previous occasions since 1996.

South Africa hold a 7-4 advantage over Angola with six draws. Their last clash saw a 1-1 draw in a friendly international in July.

South Africa Looking Strong – Unbeaten in 22 under Hugo Broos

If we exclude the CHAN and COSAFA Cups with B squads, South Africa are unbeaten in 22 matches under coach Hugo Broos.

In September’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers, they beat Lesotho 3-0 and drew 1-1 at home to Nigeria. After a 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe, a win was needed in the final qualifier to reach USA 2026.

A resounding 3-0 home win over Rwanda guaranteed qualification. Since then, Bafana Bafana have beaten Zambia 3-1 in a friendly and beaten Ghana’s B side 1-0 last Tuesday in another friendly.

Angola – Draw Specialists of Late

Angola topped their AFCON qualifying group with four wins and two draws. World Cup qualifying did not go as well as they won just two of 10 matches (six draws).

A 2-2 draw away to Eswatini preceded a 0-0 draw away vs Cameroon in October’s qualifiers. They’ve since played three friendlies in preparation for the tournament.

A 2-0 loss to Argentina was followed by a 3-2 win over Zambia. They beat Mozambique 4-1 last Wednesday.

Predicted Lineups & Team News

South Africa (4-5-1): Williams; Mudau, Ngezana, Mbokazi, Modiba; Sithole, Mokoena; Nkota, Mbule, Appollis; Foster.

Full squad:

Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns).

Defenders: Samukele Kabini (Molde), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Siyabonga Ngezana (Steaua Bucharest), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers).

Midfielders: Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalenthe Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates).

Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq).

Coach Hugo Broos has called up nine Orlando Pirates players to his squad. Sipho Mbule is set to play as the number ten, with Themba Zwane left out.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi is a key man at the back at 20 years of age. Attackers Iqraam Rayners and Percy Tau have omitted from the squad.

Angola: (4-2-3-1): Hugo Marques; Mata, Carmo, Gaspar, To Carneiro ; Maestro, Fredy; Luvumbo, Beni, Chico Banza; Nzola.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Neblu (Primero Agosto), Hugo Marques (Petro de Luanda), Dominique (Etoile Carouge).

Defenders: Rui Modesto (Udinese), Eddie Afonso (Petro de Luanda), To Carneiro (AS FAR), Nurio Fortuna (Volos FC), Pedro Bondo (Famalicao), David Carmo (Real Oviedo), Buatu (Gil Vicente), Gaspar (Lecce), Clinton Mata (Lyon).

Midfielders: Beni Mukendi (Victoria SC), Show (Kocaelispor), Fredy (Bodrumspor), Maestro (Alanyaspor), Manuel Keliano (Akhmat Grozny), Mario Balburdia (Boluspor), Manuel Benson (Swansea City).

Forwards: Zito Luvumbo (Cagliari), Milson (Crvena Zvezda), Chico Banza (Zamalek), Gelson Dala (Al Wakrah), Randy Nteka (Rayo Vallecano), Ary Papel (Al Akhdar), Mabululu (Al Ahli Tripoli), Mbala Nzola (Pisa), Zine (AEK Athens).

Experienced French coach Patrice Beaumelle has a fully fit squad. He has not sprung any major surprises, besides the omission of Petro de Luanda winger Gilberto.

With several defenders and attackers based in the big five leagues, Angola will have a strong core at the tournament.

Verdict

South Africa v Angola

I'm tipping BTTS Yes in a 1-1 draw.

BTTS Yes

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