South Africa to Go All the Way at AFCON Says Bafana Bafana Striker Inspired by Springboks

• South Africa will go into the AFCON next month in Ivory Coast as plucky outsiders
• Bafana Bafana's striker Khanyisa Mayo is confident that the squad has what it takes
• South Africa kick off their AFCON tournament campaign against Mali on January 16

Looking around at his teammates, Khanyisa Mayo is filled with confidence.

The Cape Town City striker is in a confident mood and feels the squad has the right motivation to pull a surprise at the competition.

Likely to make the final squad due to his performance so far this season, he will take on plenty of responsibility with the unavailability of key players.

South Africa are drawn in Group E with Mali, Namibia, and Tunisia. Progressing from the group should be a formality but several continental giants await in the knockout phase.

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Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco and hosts Ivory Coast can all lay claim to being favourites, with Algeria, Ghana and Senegal not far off.

Despite the daunting task of having to beat two or three of those nations to lift the trophy, Mayo believes a national template has been created. Speaking to FARPost, he said:

“We can go all the way and win the AFCON. The Springboks showed us what we can achieve if we work hard and stick together.”

With the injury to Lebo Mothiba and the medical advice given to Burnley FC keeping Lyle Foster off the Bafana team sheet, Mayo is a favourite to make the team for their opener on January 16.

The 25-year-old is the joint top-scorer in the DStv Premiership with seven strikes, which should put him in pole position to start against Mali. As reported by Goal, Mayo said:

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“I think I’ve scored goals that help my team reach our targets, and yes, I feel I’ve done everything that I can control to be in the AFCON squad.”

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Broos names preliminary AFCON squad

Sports Brief also previously reported on Hugo Broos announcing his initial squad to prepare for AFCON 2023.

The 50-man squad will be trimmed down to 27 players, with that list needing to be submitted by January 4.

Broos was criticised for his selection, with many questioning why he left out young star, Relebohile Mofokeng.