Ivorian champion Salomon Kalou tips Bafana to win upcoming AFCON

The former Chelsea and Feyenoord midfielder won the continental competition with the Ivory Coast in 2015.

Bafana impressed during the previous AFCON, where they finished in third place and maintained that form with a successful World Cup qualifying campaign.

Hugo Broos' side ended on top of Group C despite being deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player.

They now turn their attentions to AFCON Group B opponents Angola, Egypt and Zimbabwe, with their first game against the Sable Antelopes on December 2022.

Speaking during a visit to Kaizer Chiefs, Kalou said that he has been impressed by the current Bafana Bafana team.

He said on IOL: "I think South Africa is coming back; they are doing very well, and they have qualified for the World Cup.

"They are getting back to the level that they used to show us. We know that football is big here, and there are big clubs with huge programs for youth, and that is how you develop your local football—and South Africa is doing that very well.

“I won't be surprised to see them continue to do well because in the last AFCON they did very well, and they were one of the surprise teams. I am putting my money on South Africa, and they can be the surprise team at the tournament.”