The South African national team qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations without kicking a ball on match-day five of their Group K qualification campaign after South Sudan defeated Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) on Thursday to leave both South Africa and Uganda in unassailable positions as the two top teams in the group, which secures their qualification..

Speaking exclusively to www.kaizerchiefs.com from the camp in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, where Hugo Broos’ side face the Cranes on Friday, Bafana Bafana Amakhosi defender, Rushwin Dortley expressed his delight at the news that South Africa will definitely be heading to Morocco next year for the flagship tournament.

“The mood in the camp is very good at the moment after hearing we have qualified,” he said, adding, “It takes some of the pressure off, yet we are not approaching our games any differently.”

With two group games to play, there is every incentive for South Africa to finish above Uganda, as the group winners will likely be seeded in the draw for the finals. In addition, Broos will want to continue the development of his team into a formidable outfit that can challenge for the title next year.

“Our preparations for the two matches are going well. We are still very focused on winning them,” Dortley said.

Should the 22-year-old maintain his impressive form at the heart of the Kaizer Chiefs defence, he stands a good chance of being a key component in Bafana’s quest for Afcon glory, which is something he has always aspired to achieving.

“It has been an honour and a privilege for me to be part of Bafana Bafana for the last two camps and now that we have qualified for the finals, it is a huge motivation for me to be in the squad that goes to Morocco,” he concluded.

South Africa face Uganda in Kampala on Friday, 15 November before returning home to host South Sudan at the Cape Town stadium on Tuesday, 19 November.