---
title: "Crowds brave early hours to give Bafana Bafana a hero's welcome after Afcon performance"
description: "Bafana Bafana returned to South Africa and were shown some love on 14 February 2024. This following a month of tenacious and gritty football displays during the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "PHOTO ESSAY"
author: "Daily Maverick"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/dailymaverick/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-02-14-crowds-brave-early-hours-to-give-bafana-bafana-a-heros-welcome-after-afcon-performance/"
published: "2024-02-14T14:05:01"
updated: "2024-02-14T17:37:21"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 229
---

# Crowds brave early hours to give Bafana Bafana a hero's welcome after Afcon performance

> Bafana Bafana returned to South Africa and were shown some love on 14 February 2024. This following a month of tenacious and gritty football displays during the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

By Daily Maverick · Published 14 February 2024, 16:05 SAST · Updated 14 February 2024, 19:37 SAST

## Key points
- Bafana Bafana, the South African national football team, were greeted with a raucous welcome at OR Tambo International Airport after their impressive run in the Africa Cup of Nations, which included knocking out tournament favorites Morocco, and they now return home with a hard-earned bronze medal, hoping that their success will bring more fans to the stadiums.
- Bafana Bafana received a hero's welcome upon their return to South Africa after their successful Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
- The team's standout moment was their victory over Morocco in the round of 16, leading to their first semifinal appearance in 24 years.
- Bafana Bafana secured a historic bronze medal in the tournament, their second ever in the competition.
- The players' impressive performances may attract interest from bigger clubs as they return to their respective teams.

## Content

Bafana Bafana arrived home to a fanfare of celebration at OR Tambo International Airport at 4am on Wednesday, 14 February. One of the Bafana Bafana’s highlights, other than a first semifinal berth in 24 years, was eliminating pre-tournament favourites Morocco in the round of 16. Before returning home with a second-ever bronze medal in the continental competition.

![South Africans turned up in their hundreds to welcome Bafana Bafana upon their arrival at the OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, 14 February. This in spite the team arriving in the early hours of the morning, as they landed at 4am on 14 February 2024. (Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/GCVSGrjoax2lIpcXL6vc0XwCd1k=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/B24BNSM0027.jpg)

*South Africans turned up in their hundreds to welcome Bafana Bafana upon their arrival at the OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, 14 February. This in spite the team arriving in the early hours of the morning, as they landed at 4am on 14 February 2024. (Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix)*

![Striker Evidence Makgopa (centre) was one of the players that Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos put his faith in throughout the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations. Despite the striker only scoring one goal in the showpiece, he was integral to South Africa's foray to their first semifinals since 2000. (Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/DPP-trVTLSAcERmYWpN1LzH2_34=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/BB24BNSM0162.jpg)

*Striker Evidence Makgopa (centre) was one of the players that Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos put his faith in throughout the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations. Despite the striker only scoring one goal in the showpiece, he was integral to South Africa's foray to their first semifinals since 2000. (Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix)*

![The players will now return to their respective clubs. Though, with the performances displayed at the Africa Cup of Nations, they may be making moves to bigger clubs than the ones they currently represent. (Photo:Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/xFT62nYkGs5EZDO3jdueUT3T1v4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/TL_2168718.jpg)

*The players will now return to their respective clubs. However, with the performances displayed at the Africa Cup of Nations, they may be making moves to bigger clubs than the ones they currently represent. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)*

![Bafana Bafana have played in front of empty stadiums for years now. The team will hope that this will change following their Africa Cup of Nations heroics. (Photo:Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Zc1S6fBRIENtxYyEojHNN9cNOoY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/TL_2168716.jpg)

*Bafana Bafana have played in front of empty stadiums for years now. The team will hope that this will change following their Africa Cup of Nations heroics. (Photo:Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)*