AFCON 2023: Percy Tau Discloses Bafana Bafana Ambition Heading to the Tournament

• Percy Tau and Bafana Bafana are looking to perform well in the Africa Cup of Nations
• South Africa failed to qualify for the 2021 AFCON, and expectations are high this time
• South Africa last won the tournament in 1996 and have not impressed in the last few tournaments

South Africa are looking to make a mart in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations after failing to qualify for the 2021 edition in Cameroon.

The country's star, Percy Tau, has spoken about the team's goals in the competition they last won in 1996.

After winning the 1996 AFCON, Bafana Bafana came close to winning it in 1998 when they finished second. They also finished third in 2000.

Since then, they've managed just two quarter-final appearances in six tournaments. They were eliminated in the group stages four times.

Therefore, the expectations will be high as the tournament edges closer. Hugo Broos's side kick off their tournament on January 16 against Mali. They will then face Namibia then conclude their group game against Tunisia, per Far Post.

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Bafana Bafana are currently ranked 12th in Africa, but they head into the tournament as underdogs, per FIFA.

Percy Tau on Bafana Bafana's goals at AFCON

Percy Tau and Bafana Bafana players have been intensifying their training and are set to play a friendly before flying to Cote d'Ivoire. The Al Ahly forward says the team wants to do well.

“It’s always difficult for us to satisfy the public, but we’ve always wanted to be a team that could try and compete,” Tau said via iDiski Times.

“Even the last time I went to AFCON in Egypt, we wanted to compete and try our best to go all the way, that has not changed even now."

Tau is confident they can perform in Cote d'Ivoire.

“But people have different opinions about the process we’re in because they say this based on missing out on the last [AFCON]. So we understand that but we want to go all the way.”

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How long will Bafana Bafana go?

Bafana Bafana promised bonus

Sports Brief earlier reported that Bafana Bafana were promised a bonus of $7 million if they win the tournament.

“We have to get the team to focus, we have to clear everything. If they win, they get US$7 million [R130 million]; if they lose, they get nothing."

That amount is similar to what CAF will award the winner of the tournament by mid-February.