Soccer Sport News, Updates and Exclusive Interviews for South Africans
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Under the coaching of Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana claimed the bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and secured their place in this year’s AFCON in Morocco.
South Africa is also second in their group as they chase a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With a solid balance of experienced stars like Themba Zwane and rising stars such as Lyle Foster, Bafana Bafana would be positive about their championship aspirations.
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Latest South African Soccer News
With Bafana Bafana set for a decisive two years on the continental and international stage, South Africa has a lot of soccer to look forward to.
SportsBoom will bring you the latest updates and news from South African football, from global events to domestic updates, transfer news and interviews.
Hugo Broos speaks with Bongokuhle Hlongwane//Getty Images
Top Soccer Leagues in South Africa
South African Premiership
The highest division of South African league soccer is the embodiment of its slogan, Babize Bonke, Bazozw’iDiski - football you can touch, feel, and hear.
The Prem is where local football shines and where the future stars are reared.
Mamelodi Sundowns clinched a record-extending 14th Premiership title last season, their seventh in a row, leaving other clubs desperate to catch up.
Masandawana are currently leading the table with Orlando Pirates a close second.
The outcome of the South African Premiership also determines qualification for the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.
Siyabonga Mabena//Getty Images
MTN 8
Directly linked to the standings of the Premiership, the MTN 8 has been something of a bogey for Mamelodi Sundowns despite their league dominance.
Instead, the top eight tournament is the stomping ground of Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs.
Last season’s MTN 8 saw a surprise run from Stellenbosch FC, who knocked out ‘Downs in the semi-final before falling to the Buccaneers in the final.
Nedbank Cup
Based on the English FA Cup, the South African soccer knockout tournament is known for producing notable upsets and gave rise to many ‘giant killers’.
Most recent among these ‘slayings’ was First Division side Milford FC eliminating Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup’s Round of 32 last year on penalties.
The Nedbank Cup pits 16 Premiership teams against eight teams from the National First Division and the amateur club soccer ranks through based on respective qualifiers.
As an added incentive, the cup winner also qualifies for next season’s Confederation Cup.
South Africa’s Most Memorable Soccer Moments
AFCON 1996 glory
South Africa has a solid record when it comes to winning tournaments hosted in the country, with the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations proving this point.
In their debut tournament, Bafana Bafana topped their group pool.
After defeating Cameroon 3-0 and Angola 1-0, the South Africans were unable to equalise from a seventh-minute goal against Egypt but had already advanced.
Bafana beat Algeria 2-1 in the quarter-final and Ghana 3-0 in the semi-final.
With the home crowd at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg backing them, South Africa’s Mark Williams scored a brace against Tunisia and the rest is history.
Nelson Mandela celebrates with the national football squad captain Neil Tovey//Getty Images
2010 World Cup heroics
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was full of highs and lows for South Africa, with Siphiwe Tshabalala scoring a memorable opening goal in the first-game draw against Mexico.
Bafana’s fate was then sealed with a 3-0 defeat against Uruguay.
The heroic 2-1 win over France could not stop South Africa from becoming the first host nation to exit the FIFA World Cup in the group stages.
15 years later, Bafana are yet to progress beyond the tournament’s first round.
With important 2026 World Cup qualifier games coming up in March and September, South Africa are surely aiming to break the glass ceiling.
South Africa’s Soccer Legends
Mark Fish
The iconic Capetonian defender cemented his legendary status for Bafana Bafana with a goal in the quarter-final of the 1996 AFCON, which South Africa won.
Mark Fish made 62 appearances for his nation, playing as a skilled defender.
In addition to his stalwart status with Bafana, he represented Lazio in Serie A, Bolton Wanderers and later Charlton Athletic in the Premier League, and Ipswich Town in the Championship.
Fish retired in the 2005/2006 season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury.
Siphiwe Tshabalala
The image of the 1.7-metre Siphiwe Tshabala rising to score the opening goal of the 2010 World Cup’s opening game is still etched in the minds of many.
His strike was even shortlisted for FIFA’s Puskas Award that year.
Earning his call-up to the South African national team in 2006, Tshabalala was notably one of the first rising stars to join Bafana from a First Division side (Free State Stars).
He has represented South Africa at three AFCONs and a Confederations Cup.
Between 2006 and 2017, Tshabalala earned an impressive 90 caps for Bafana Bafana - the second in national team history - and scored 12 goals for his country.
Ronwen Williams
The current Bafana Bafana goalkeeper had already impressed for Mamelodi Sundowns before his four saves in the AFCON 2023 quarter-final made him a household name.
He went on to deservedly win the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper award.
Even more impressively, Williams was also nominated for the 2024 Yashin Trophy (the goalkeeping equivalent of the Ballon d’Or) and was ranked ninth in the world.
The keeper has made 50 appearances for South Africa since 2014.
Bafana Bafana will be relying on his leadership and safe hands as they chase the 2025 AFCON title and their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
South Africa’s Iconic Soccer Stadiums (200 words) Mention one venue
FNB Stadium, Johannesburg
- The stadium is home to Premiership giants Kaizer Chiefs
- It is also called the Calabash due to its resemblance to an African gourd
- South Africa won the 1996 AFCON title against Tunisia at the FNB Stadium
- The 2010 FIFA World Cup final was played here between Spain and the Netherlands
- The stadium was where Nelson Mandela gave his first speech after being released from prison in 1990 and also the site of his memorial service in 2013
- With a capacity of 94,736, the FNB Stadium is among the largest in the world
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