With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament just one transfer window away from starting, Soccer Laduma highlights five Bafana players whose next moves could be influenced by the looming tournament.
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Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)
Mofokeng is widely anticipated to make a big move overseas after the completion of the 2024/25 season, especially after comments by Bafana head coach that he is ready for Europe. However, with the 2025 AFCON taking place in the middle of the upcoming campaign, the 20-year-old's handlers will have one eye on the tournament, in deciding whether to make a big move abroad.
Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City)
A potential Appollis transfer was arguably the most anticipated in the PSL in the previous two transfer windows, however, Polokwane City have not been keen to sell. With the 2025 AFCON set to take place a few months into the new season, Rise and Shine could feel tempted to hold on to the 23-year-old for at least after the tournament, where his value could go higher.
Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Zwane, who is close to a return from injury, will be out of contract by July, before Sundowns jet out to the United States of America to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup. One of the biggest considerations 'Mshishi' will have to make is to find a team where he would be guaranteed game time for the first half of the 2025/26 campaign, to increase his chances of making Bafana squad for Morocco.
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Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Mudau's contract is also coming to an end when the season concludes and although FIFA have made a special provision that teams that qualified for the Club World Cup can enter into short term deals for the duration of the tournament. The 29-year-old could consider if he should wait for a few more months (with a contract extension at The Brazilians) before potentially entertaining European suitors, after he was linked with English and French clubs.
Terrence Mashego (Mamelodi Sundowns)
As previously reported by the Siya crew, Sundowns were in talks with Kaizer Chiefs for the transfer of Mashego in the previous transfer window but the two clubs could not come to an agreement. Ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, Mashego could be pushing for a move for game time elsewhere, to stand a good chance of making the Bafana squad form the AFCON tournament in Morocco.
