Moments after landing in Kampala yesterday, for today’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda, Bafana Bafana learnt they have qualified for the continental finals taking place in Morocco next year.

Congo’s shock 2-3 defeat to South Sudan in Juba yesterday afternoon meant that Hugo Broos ‘steam secured their place at the Afcon finals with two games to spare.

Congo can only finish on a maximum of seven points if they win their last game at home on Tuesday against group leaders Uganda, who have also qualified, while Bafana are already on eight points before facing the Cranes today in Kampala (3pm).

Congo struck first via Christopher Ibayi in the 26th minute, before Ebon Wajo equalised for the host five minutes later. Ibayi would complete his brace 11 minuteslater, while Wajo responded by also slotting home his second of the day in stoppage time of the first half.

It was Data Elly’s 84th minute strike that ended Congo’s hopes of going to Morocco, giving less-fancied South Sudan their maiden win in this group after five games.

Having won bronze at last year’s Afcon in Ivory Coast, it’s the second time since 2000 (co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria) and 2022 (in Mali) that Bafana qualify for Afcon back-to-back. In 2013 they qualified as hosts before also making the next finals in 2015, hosted in Equatorial Guinea.

With qualification now sealed, it remains to be seen if Bafana coach Hugo Broos will give more fringe players a chance today in Kampala and against South Sudan in Cape Town on Tuesday.

Bafana join Morocco, Egypt, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Senegal who have already qualified.

Broos, meanwhile, had shown confidence they would overcome the Ugandan Cranes even without some of the side’s instrumental offensive personnel, such as Percy Tau, Themba Zwane and Lyle Foster.

While Zwane and Foster are sidelined by injuries, Broos omitted Tau, citing his lack of game time at his Egyptian club, Al Ahly. Mamelodi Sundowns’ Iqraam Rayners is expected to spearhead Bafana’s attack this afternoon, while Evidence Makgopa of Orlando Pirates is also expected to play a role as Broos’ attacking option.

“We have a great loss with Zwane and Foster, those were players who were important for Bafana. On the other hand, I am confident with the players in the group now. It’s not good that we talk about those who are not here because of injuries,” Broos said.

“When I see this guy next to me [pointing at Makgopa before patting him on the shoulders], when we went to Afcon everybody was laughing at me… ‘Haha, what is he going to do with Makgopa in Afcon?’ I have confidence in the players that are here now.”

On Thursday, six more teams secured qualification for AFCON 2025 joining an exciting lineup of African football giants.

The 15 berths of the 24 available spots at the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are already secured with African football’s finest preparing to dazzle on the grand stage in Morocco.

On Thursday, matchday 5 of the qualifiers brought thrilling results, as six more nations — Nigeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon — punched their tickets to the continent’s most prestigious football competition.

These six teams join an already impressive lineup of African football powerhouses and emerging challengers.

Host nation Morocco, guaranteed a spot by virtue of hosting the event, leads the pack alongside Senegal and Algeria, who breezed through their qualification campaign with consistent dominance.

Egypt, boasting a record seven AFCON titles, and Côte d’Ivoire, the reigning title holders are set to rekindle their storied rivalries on the big stage.

Adding to this blend are DR Congo, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, three teams hungry to leave their mark in Morocco and eager to make deep runs into the tournament.

South Africa’s qualification is particularly notable marking their return to the AFCON fold for the second time in a row.

Similarly, Uganda and Gabon have reignited hopes of a strong continental presence.

Tunisia and Nigeria, long-standing giants of African football, added their names to the growing list of confirmed participants.

Both nations are perennial AFCON contenders and bring rich histories, world-class talent, and high expectations to the tournament.

Matchday 5 matches roll on into Friday and Saturday, while the final Matchday 6 next week will determine the remaining nine teams to complete the 24-nation roster.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Vinicius Junior had frustrating nights in South American World Cup qualifying. While Messi could not help his team avoid a 2-1 defeat at Paraguay, Vinicius Junior missed a second-half penalty as Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw at Venezuela on Thursday.

Argentina will remain on the top of the 10-team round robin competition with 22 points in 11 matches. Brazil are provisionally in third place in the standings with 17 points.

Also, on Thursday, Ecuador beat Bolivia 4-0. The Ecuadorians remain in fifth position with 16 points, while Bolivia are in eighth place with 12 points.

The 11th round of South American World Cup qualifying will continue on Friday with second-place Colombia visiting Uruguay and the bottom two teams in the standings, Peru and Chile, facing off in Lima.

Argentina played in Paraguay with the hosts having banned local fans from wearing any Messi shirts in the home crowd. TV footage of the match in Asuncion showed that the vast majority of the local crowd was wearing Paraguay’s red and white colours, with no Messi shirts visible in the local broadcasts.

Messi had few opportunities to touch the ball during the first half, but saw Lautaro Martinez open the scoring in the 11th minute with a crossed shot. The goal was allowed after a video review.

Paraguay scored the equaliser with a bicycle kick by Antonio Sanabria in the 19th minute, shortly after defender Gustavo Gomez hit the bar with a header.

The hosts continued to apply pressure, and gave the Argentine star some heavy marking. Messi showed he was upset with Brazilian referee Anderson Daronco for not sending off Paraguay’s Omar Alderete for his aggressive tackles.

It was Alderete who scored Paraguay’s winner with a header in the 47th minute, which put Paraguay back in contention for a spot in the next World Cup.

Vinicius Junior is still without a goal in six matches of World Cup qualifying.

He had the chance to score a potential winner after he earned the penalty in the 67th minute but his low spot kick was saved by goalkeeper Rafael Romo and the Brazil forward then shot wide from the rebound.

Brazil had the best chances in the first half, with Vinicius hitting the post once after dribbling three Venezuelans and shooting from the edge of the box. But it was Raphinha who opened the scoring from a free kick in the 43rd minute.

Venezuela brought on 21-year-old Telasco Segovia at half time and the substitution had an immediate effect as he equalised in the 46th minute with a powerful shot from the edge of the box.

Venezuela went down to 10 men in the 89th minute after Alexander Gonzalez was sent off for hitting both Gabriel Martinelli and Vinicius Junior in the face.

Ecuador beat Bolivia with goals by Enner Valencia (26th minute), Gonzalo Plata (28th and 49th) and Alan Minda (61st).