South Africa vs Cameroon live: Africa Cup of Nations 2025 score and goal updates in round of 16 tie – UK Times

“I have to agree that I’m not really happy with the performance or the way some players are acting on the pitch. That is true. Again, that is something we have to work on,” Hugo Broos said after victory over Zimbabwe.

“We have to know that the progression we made in the last two or three years is not a guarantee that you come on the pitch and you win the game. I said it already before the tournament: it will be tougher for us than the tournament two years ago.

“Now, everybody knows what a good team we are and the mindset of the opponent is totally different. Yes, we have to adapt to that, knowing that it will not be easy anymore. We will have to play every game at 100% of our talents and our qualities. If we don’t do that with the right mentality, we will always be in trouble.”

“Hugo Broos is a great coach,” Pagou said. “He won the Afcon with Cameroon in 2017. I remember attending a coaching course where he explained his ideas, and I believed in his abilities. He has had a career worthy of admiration. For us, it goes beyond motivation — what I want from my players is maximum focus.

“Hugo Broos is a role model for me. We are building a team step by step with these players. They are committed, and we will show that we can compete with big teams. We did not expect this level of performance, but we will keep improving and stay fully focused.”

Gabon’s Minister of Sports announced on television the suspension of the national team after they finished last in their group and were eliminated from the tournament in Morocco.

“Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the coaching staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and exclude players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” said acting sports minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula after Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Ivory Coast in Marrakech.

Neither Aubameyang nor veteran defender Ecuele Manga played on Wednesday with Aubameyang having returned to his French cub Olympique de Marseille for treatment on a thigh injury.

The former African Footballer of the Year responded on social media, saying on X: “I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the individual I am.”

South Africa predicted line-up: Williams; Mudau, Modiba, Mbokazi, Ngezana; Mokoena, Aubaas, Mbule; Mofokeng, Appollis, Foster

Cameroon predicted line-up: Epassy; Tolo, Kotto, Malone; Yongwa, Baleba, Namaso, Tchamadeu, Ebong; Mbeumo, Kofane

Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has proven vital to South Africa’s chances, with Sphephelo Sithole not included in the line-up against Zimbabwe due to a tactical reason.

Relebohile Mofokeng is in contention, with Sipho Mbule poised to play again.

Man United’s Bryan Mbeumo will lead Cameroon’s chances, with Carlos Baleba thriving in midfield; both players are rested after coming off at half-time against Mozambique to protect them against a potential suspension.

But captain Nouhou Tolo is dealing with a hamstring injury, with Christopher Wooh set to deputise.

Nigeria captain Victor Osimhen has declared his team is ready to “trample on any team” they face at the Afcon 2025, with Mozambique up next on Monday.

“Yes, I would count my country as one of the favourites,” Osimhen said.

“We are one of the most feared teams in this tournament. Any team can come and play us. If they are good, they can scale through, but if they are not we can trample on any team because this team has got the quality to do damage to any big team, any good team in this tournament.

“We respect every team that progresses to the next round and any one we meet in the next round they are going to see the fighting spirit of Nigeria.

“The round of 16 is going to be even tougher than the group stages so the boys are ready to give everything. But the team is ready to face any opponent. We respect any team that scales through but we are not scared of anybody.”

South Africa hold the edge from previous meetings against Cameroon, with three victories five draws and just one defeat.

It’s been almost 10 years since these teams met, though, with a goalless draw coming in 2016.

There isn’t much in the form, either, with South Africa winning 2/3 in their group, while Cameroon won two and drew one. And Bafana Bafana have scored five in three games to Cameroon’s four in three games, though they have conceded (2) one less than today’s rivals (3)

South Africa take on Cameroon tonight for a place in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations at the Al Barid Stadium in Rabat

And this one should be a cracker! Bafana Bafana were bronze medallists in 2023, while the Indomitable Lions are five-time champions.

South Africa are here thanks to a runners-up finish in Group B, while Cameroon were second in Group F, just behind the defending champions Ivory Coast.

The winner will tackle Morocco or Tanzania in the last eight.