Soccer
Bafana Bafana qualify for Chan after 12-year absence─── MORGAN PIEK 08:16 Mon, 12 May 2025
Bafana Bafana have qualified for the African Nations Championship (Chan) for the first time in 12 years, following a crucial win against Malawi in the second leg of their qualifiers, held at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
On Sunday (11/5), Bafana booked their place at the 2025 Chan tournament in East Africa by beating Malawi 2-0 in a must-win clash, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory over the two legs.
Two former Bloemfontein Celtic stars delivered the win for South Africa, with Victor Letsoalo opening the scoring in the 12th minute, while captain Neo Maema sealed the result in the 87th. The Bafana Bafana stand-in coach, Molefi Ntseki, praised his side for their response after suffering a 1-0 defeat in the first leg a week earlier in Lilongwe, Malawi.
“My voice might not be what I’d like it to be, I think it’s from all the celebrating we’ve been doing since qualifying for Chan after 12 long years,” Ntseki said.
“This is for the country, for Safa, and for all the players who were part of the journey, from the games against Egypt, to both legs against Malawi. We’ve made the nation proud by qualifying for the Chan tournament.
“The key for us was assembling the group of players we have in camp now. Although the first group we called up couldn’t be part of the first leg, those who came in gave it their all.
Victor Letsoalo. Photo: X
“In that first game, we managed to hold on until the 87th minute, but a lapse in concentration saw us concede from a set-piece. But today, we were much more resolute.
“The technical plan was clear, and every player on the pitch applied themselves fully. We’re grateful to the players, the entire technical team, and to Safa for the support.”
The 2025 Chan tournament, hosted across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, will take place in August.
