South Africa and Cameroon will renew their Africa Cup of Nations rivalry for the first time this century when they meet in the Round of 16 at the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON on 4 January.
The knockout tie will be played at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat, with kick-off set for 8 pm Nigeria time.
It will be only the second AFCON meeting between the sides. Their first came in the opening match of the 1996 tournament, when hosts South Africa secured a commanding 3-0 victory at Soccer City. Goals from Phil Masinga, Mark Williams and John Moshoeu launched Bafana Bafana towards their maiden continental title.
Overall, the teams have met nine times across all competitions. South Africa have won three matches, Cameroon one, while five encounters ended in draws. Cameroon’s only victory was a 2-1 friendly win in July 1992, a result that ended South Africa’s return to international football after apartheid.
Since then, Bafana Bafana have gone seven matches unbeaten against the Indomitable Lions, recording two wins and five draws. The last three meetings have all ended level, including both matches during qualification for the 2017 AFCON.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos adds another layer of intrigue. The Belgian led Cameroon between 2016 and 2017, guiding them to AFCON glory in Gabon. During qualification for that tournament, his Cameroon side drew 2-2 in Limbe before a goalless return fixture in Durban, a result that saw Cameroon qualify and South Africa miss out.
Broos’ record at AFCON knockout matches in open play remains unbeaten, and a victory would take him to his third AFCON quarter-final as a coach.
South Africa arrive in the Round of 16 after winning two group matches for the first time since 2000, with victories over Angola and Zimbabwe. They have never conceded a goal at this stage of the competition and have won both previous Round of 16 ties in open play.
Cameroon, five-time champions, reached the knockouts after beating Gabon and Mozambique and drawing with Côte d’Ivoire. This is their fifth successive appearance in the knockout rounds, although they have been eliminated at the Round of 16 in both 2019 and 2023.
History slightly favours South Africa, who have scored in eight of the nine meetings between the sides. Cameroon have kept just one clean sheet against Bafana Bafana, while South Africa have recorded three.
With contrasting styles, shared history and high stakes, Rabat is set to host a compelling contest between two of Africa’s most recognisable football nations.
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