Bafana Bafana’s AFCON run ended earlier than many hoped. In this episode, host Lorenz sits down with the 10bet content team and creators who lived the tournament up close, from camp energy to big selection debates, to the World Cup reality check.
If you want an honest, behind-the-scenes debrief (not just match reactions), this one is for you.
Watch the episode
Hit play and listen while you read.
Who’s on the mic
- Lorenz Köhler (Host)
- Ditebogo Mailula – TikTok content creator
- Lihle Jafta – Football Analyst & Content Creator (LJ Sports on TikTok)
- Dalmain Faver – Senior Football Journalist (Soccer Laduma)
The big theme: expectations changed everything
In the previous AFCON, Bafana surprised everyone and finished third. This time, the expectations were louder and heavier. That pressure becomes a character in the story.
Key idea from the episode:
When you go from “underdogs” to “we expect semis”, the margin for mistakes disappears.
The honest verdict: did Bafana underachieve
Short answer from the panel: yes.
Not because the team is “bad”, but because the hype, the unbeaten talk, and the previous AFCON success raised the standard.
What they felt was missing:
- The same quality of football on the pitch
- Clinical finishing (taking the chances early)
- The calm “big team” habit of winning even when you are not at your best
The Cameroon game: “we’ve seen this movie before”
A recurring feeling during the match:
- Start well
- Miss clear chances
- Get punished by a team that knows how to win
One guest sums it up perfectly: Cameroon do not need beautiful football. They need the job done.
Positives worth keeping
Even in a disappointing run, there were real positives mentioned:
- No bonus drama (a big change from past tournaments)
- We got out of the group
- Strong individual performances (even if the collective did not click)
- Players highlighted for standout moments, including defensive consistency and strong impact spells
The “something felt off” camp conversation
One of the most interesting parts of the episode is the talk about atmosphere around the camp:
- “Dirty laundry” before the tournament
- Players hinting something was not right
- A different energy compared to previous camps
It is not presented as an excuse, but as context for why things never felt fully settled.
The debate that split fans: local league vs overseas level
This is the moment that will get people arguing in the comments.
One side:
- “We can win with PSL players”
- “We finished third before with mostly local players”
The other side:
- “To beat the top nations, we need players tested at higher levels”
- “Football IQ and top-level habits matter, especially in knockout games”
A strong point made in the episode:
- It is not “PSL players are not good enough”
- It is about how pressure and high-level competition shapes decision-making
Selection questions the episode keeps circling back to
This episode does not pretend selection is simple. But they do raise real questions:
- Were some players left out who fit the system better
- Did we experiment too late with shape and roles
- Did certain players get minutes too late to make a difference
- Are we choosing for “experience” when some young players elsewhere are starting and starring
World Cup talk: what counts as success
They shift quickly from disappointment to the big target.
The group mentioned in the chat:
- Mexico
- Denmark (likely)
- South Korea
What “success” looks like, according to the panel:
- Minimum: be competitive and not over-respect opponents
- Ambitious: get out of the group
- Practical: fix finishing, midfield balance, defensive issues, and admin distractions before the tournament
A big warning they give:
- Do not go to the World Cup with “shop window mentality”
- Go as a team first, and the moves will follow
Hosting AFCON again: would South Africa bring the vibe
They discuss a possible future AFCON bid and ask the real question:
- Will fans show up beyond the big games
They agree SA can turn out for Bafana, but neutral games and overall tournament atmosphere depends on culture, pricing, and momentum.
Timestamp guide (jump to the best parts)
- 00:00 to 01:40 Introductions and AFCON context
- 01:40 to 04:00 Did Bafana underachieve
- 04:00 to 07:30 Positives and what actually worked
- 07:30 to 12:30 Cameroon game emotions and “we’ve seen this before”
- 12:30 to 19:30 The big selection and system debate
- 19:30 to 29:30 The overseas level argument and what it really means
- 29:30 to 41:30 World Cup expectations and what success looks like
- 41:30 to end Hosting AFCON, vibe, and coaching discussion
Quick takeaways to debate with your friends
- Expectations can change performance, even if the squad quality is similar
- Top teams win ugly. That is a skill
- System fit matters as much as individual talent
- A World Cup needs focus: football only, no admin noise
- “Get out of the group” is the real target
Watch it and tell us your take
Do you agree Bafana underachieved, or did we finish exactly where our level is right now?
Watch the episode, then drop your comment:
- What was your biggest frustration
- Which player should have been in the squad
- What is “success” at the World Cup for you
