South Africa vs Cameroon: AFCON prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds | OneFootball

Bafana Bafana meet the Indomitable Lions for a place in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals

South Africa face Cameroon in the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Bafana Bafana, AFCON champions in 1996 and third-place finishers last time around, advanced through to the knockout stages as runners-up in Group B, edging past Angola 2-1 in their opener before a contentious 1-0 defeat by 10-man Egypt was followed by a dramatic 3-2 win over neighbouring Zimbabwe.

They will likely need to step up a gear against Cameroon, whose five AFCON titles are second only to Egypt all time.

While no longer the force of old amid plenty of controversy behind the scenes, a youthful Indomitable Lions squad still possesses plenty of talent and finished second behind holders Ivory Coast in Group F only as a result of scoring one goal fewer, with their points tallies and goal difference identical.

Cameroon saw off Gabon 1-0 to get underway before drawing 1-1 with Ivory Coast and fighting back to defeat surprise package Mozambique 2-1.

Date, kick-off time and venue

South Africa vs Cameroon is scheduled for a 7pm GMT kick-off on Sunday January 4, 2026. That is 8pm local time and in Cameroon, 9pm in South Africa.

The match will take place at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat.

Where to watch South Africa vs Cameroon

TV channel: Every match at AFCON is being shown live in the UK across the Channel 4 network.

This game will be broadcast on 4seven, with coverage beginning at 6:55pm GMT.

Live stream: The fixture will also be shown live online via the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel and through Channel 4’s official website and app.

Live blog: Follow the action live with Standard Sport’s blog.

South Africa vs Cameroon team news

South Africa midfielder Sphephelo "Yaya" Sithole was replaced by Bathusi Aubaas at half-time against Zimbabwe, but head coach Hugo Broos confirmed afterwards that it was a tactical decision rather than injury-related.

Broos criticised Sithole for losing the ball too easily and making wrong decisions, putting his place in the team in jeopardy as we enter the knockout rounds.

Sipho Mbule returned against Zimbabwe as Broos went back to a more attacking lineup led by Burnley’s Lyle Foster, having installed Thalente Mbatha in midfield for the defeat by Egypt.

Ready to go: Bryan Mbeumo was not injured after coming off at half-time for Cameroon against Mozambique

AFP via Getty Images

Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo and Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba both made way at the interval during Cameroon’s win over Mozambique, though that was believed to be in a bid to ensure the key pair avoided picking up yellow cards that would have seen them suspended for the last 16.

Captain Nouhou Tolo suffered a hamstring injury shortly before half-time and was replaced in defence by Christopher Wooh.

South Africa vs Cameroon prediction

We have yet to see the best of South Africa at this tournament, with respective heroics from Foster and Oswin Appollis ensuring they edged out Angola and Zimbabwe either side of losing to Egypt as a result of Mohamed Salah’s controversial penalty.

Failing to take advantage of the Pharaohs playing the entire second half with 10 men will have set alarm bells ringing.

David Pagou’s Cameroon got their own scare against Mozambique and needed Christian Kofane’s superb first international goal to secure victory, having fought hard to draw with Ivory Coast and deservedly beat Gabon.

We envisage these two sides largely cancelling each other out in a tense, even and cagey affair that could well go all the way to penalties, with Bafana Bafana narrowly coming through in the end.

South Africa to win, 1-0.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

These two nations have not met at all since 2016, when they drew a pair of AFCON qualifiers. Current Bafana Bafana coach Broos was then in charge of Cameroon, whom he led to the 2017 title in Gabon.

Five of the nine previous match-ups have ended in draws, with Cameroon’s only win over South Africa to date coming in a friendly back in 1992.

South Africa wins: 3

Cameroon wins: 1

Draws: 5

South Africa vs Cameroon match odds

South Africa to win: 11/5

Cameroon to win: 7/5

Draw: 2/1

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).