File Photo: Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw. Photo courtesy of CAF.
Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw has warned against underestimating South Africa at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, tipping the Bafana Bafana as serious title contenders despite their outsider status.
South Africa, who finished third at the previous Nations Cup in Côte d’Ivoire, have been drawn in Group B of the tournament, which begins on Dec. 21, alongside Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe.
“It is very strange to me that many experts exclude South Africa from the list of title contenders,” Thiaw told RTS.
“They play very good football and most of their players come from the same club, Sundowns,” he added.
“Unfortunately, we tend to focus only on players based in Europe and overlook those playing in Africa.”
Thiaw said South Africa’s recent record shows they are capable of going deep into the tournament.
“They finished third at the last Nations Cup and they are capable of going far again,” he said.
South Africa won the African title in 1996 and finished runners-up at the 1998 edition in Burkina Faso, losing 2-0 to Egypt in the final.
They will open their 2025 Nations Cup campaign on 22 December against Angola before facing Egypt four days later.
The Bafana Bafana will conclude the group stage against Zimbabwe on 29 December.
On the other hand, 2021 champions Senegal have been drawn in Group D alongside DR Congo, Benin and Botswana.
At the 2023 tournament, the Lions of Teranga suffered a shock round-of-16 exit after losing to hosts and future champions Côte d’Ivoire.
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