Mark Fish Backs Bafana Bafana to Qualify for AFCON 2027 After Cairo Draw

Bafana Bafana legend Mark Fish is confident South Africa will qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following last week’s draw in Cairo.

The 36th edition of the tournament, organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027. 

South Africa has been drawn in Group D alongside hosts Kenya, Guinea, and Eritrea, with the qualifying campaign set to begin in September.

Understandably, the AFCON draw was overshadowed by preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, which kicks off next month. 

“I have not seen a lot of talk about the draw, and clearly it was overshadowed by the hype around the World Cup, but a draw is a draw, and we should be able to qualify. We are in a group where we can compete and do well,” Fish confidently told SportsBoom from Morocco, where he is part of CAF’s Study Group at the ongoing U-17 tournament.

Fish, who earned 62 caps for Bafana Bafana and was a key figure in Clive Barker’s 1998 World Cup squad, believes the current team is in its strongest position in years. 

“We might not have done well in the last AFCON in Morocco, where we were knocked out by Cameroon in the Round of 16, but we came third in 2023 and have now qualified for the World Cup. Credit must go to the current crop of players for restoring respect to the Bafana jersey.”

The Challenge of Hosts Kenya 

He cautioned, however, that away fixtures could prove challenging, particularly the trip to Kenya. 

“It’s important to win your home games as a base. Kenya, coached by a South African and our own, Benni McCarthy, will be one to watch. Normally, there will be a lot of talk ahead of the clash. The fans will look forward to that clash. The team will just need to focus on preparations as there will be a lot of talk.”

Fish paid tribute to his former teammate McCarthy, who turned down the opportunity to manage in the MLS, noting his progress as a coach. 

“Benni has done well since taking over Kenya. You can see the team’s improvement in the CHAN, where they finished in the quarter finals. He has settled after coaching stints in South Africa (with both AmaZulu and Cape Town City) and at Manchester United.”

Reflecting on past setbacks, Fish dismissed looking back at missed qualifications in 2017 and 2021. 

“There is no use in looking back. The current generation has restored pride. We have a 2026 FIFA World Cup to play in North America, do the best we can, and when we return, focus must shift to AFCON qualification.”

South African Football Rising 

Fish emphasised that South African football is on a positive trajectory. 

“Bafana Bafana has progressed, and we should rally behind the team going to the World Cup. It’s also pleasing to see Mamelodi Sundowns winning the CAF Champions League and a new Betway Premiership champion emerging. These developments bode well for the future of our football.”

He also praised the success of South African coaches abroad. 

“Rhulani Mokwena (Al-Ittihad SC in Lycia), Fadlu Davids (Raja CA in Morocco), and Steve Barker (Simba SC, Tanzania) and other guys coaching outside our borders have shown that South Africa can produce not only talented players but quality coaches too.”

Looking ahead, South African football legend Mark Fish, who had stints in the English Premier League and Serie A, urged SAFA to ensure continuity when Hugo Broos eventually departs. 

“It’s important that SAFA makes the right choice so we don’t start over again. Broos deserves credit for the way he has gone about his job, and that work must continue beyond his era.”