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2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Group D preview

By Liam Bekker

12 April 2019, Egypt, Giza: Retired Cameroonian footballer Rigobert Song (R) stands on stage next to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy during the draw for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations at the Pyramids of Giza. The championship is scheduled to take place in Egypt between 21 June and 19 July 2019. Photo: Ahmed Ramadan/dpa (Photo by Ahmed Ramadan/picture alliance via Getty Images)
12 April 2019, Egypt, Giza: Retired Cameroonian footballer Rigobert Song (R) stands on stage next to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy during the draw for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations at the Pyramids of Giza. The championship is scheduled to take place in Egypt between 21 June and 19 July 2019. Photo: Ahmed Ramadan/dpa (Photo by Ahmed Ramadan/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
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South Africa’s forward Percy Tau (R) celebrates his goal with teammates Lebo Mothiba (C) and Themba Zwane (L) during the 2019 AFCON Group E qualifier football match between Libya and South Africa at Stade Taieb Mhiri in the Tunisian city of Sfax on March 24, 2019. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP) (Photo credit should read FETHI BELAID/AFP/Getty Images)
South Africa’s forward Percy Tau (R) celebrates his goal with teammates Lebo Mothiba (C) and Themba Zwane (L) during the 2019 AFCON Group E qualifier football match between Libya and South Africa at Stade Taieb Mhiri in the Tunisian city of Sfax on March 24, 2019. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP) (Photo credit should read FETHI BELAID/AFP/Getty Images) /

South Africa

South Africa will be making their tenth appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations. Bafana Bafana made their debut in the competition in 1996, after nearly forty years of political exclusion, and announced themselves to the world by winning the tournament. A runners-up and third-place finish followed in the two subsequent editions but South Africa have failed to build on their early success. In their last five outings, the nation has only progressed from the group stages once.

Qualification

Despite boasting the best defense and being one of only five sides to progress from qualifying unbeaten, Stuart Baxter’s team was the last to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. After defeating Nigeria in their opening match, South Africa made life hard for themselves by drawing three of their next four matches.

Their barren run included a goalless draw against Seychelles in October which seemed inexplicable after they had beaten the same nation 6-0 just three days before. By the time the final day came around, South Africa needed at least a point against Libya to progress and a Percy Tau brace secured a nervy 2-1 win to ensure qualification.

The squad

Baxter has made no surprises in his selection with the majority of the squad hailing from those who featured throughout the qualifying campaign. Strasbourg’s Lebo Mothiba, who became the first player became to score in three consecutive matches for the nation from debut is included as is Amiens’ Bongani Zungu.

https://twitter.com/FenomenoZA/status/1137699639510151168

Among those missing is fellow French-based player Keagan Dolly who withdrew from the squad through injury while star defender Rivaldo Coetzee was excluded following a breakdown in communication with management after he had taken personal leave.

Related Story. Group A preview. light

Key player: Percy Tau

The common denominator in all three of South Africa’s wins in qualifying was Percy Tau. The 25-year old forward scored four goals across those three matches and was instrumental in his nation reaching the AFCON tournament.

On the back of a season which saw him named Player of the Season in the Belgian second division, Tau will once again be South Africa’s key man. Alongside Mothiba, he will be responsible for leading the attacking line and helping his nation achieve at least a best third-placed finish in their group.

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