Bafana Bafana are close to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and could conceivably do so this month, writes NICK SAID.
Bafana Bafana continue their quest for a place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and could in theory wrap it up this month in games against Lesotho and Nigeria that are both set to be played in South Africa.
Barring any late intervention from the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to deduct three points from Bafana following their illegal use of Teboho Mokoena in the 2–0 win over Lesotho in March, Bafana go into the penultimate round of matches with a commanding lead in the pool.
They are five points ahead of Rwanda and Benin, and six in front of Nigeria with a superior goal-difference.
If they avoid defeat to Nigeria this month then it is hard to see how they will not qualify.
Even a loss against the Super Eagles and it would still all be in Bafana’s hands.
Aside from also essentially hosting Lesotho this month, they also take on Rwanda and Zimbabwe in November to close out their campaign.
There is a chance that the Zimbabwe match will also be played in South Africa, with the Warriors unable to host games in their own country due to not having stadia that meet requirements.
They have been playing in South Africa to this point, so there is the possibility that all four of their remaining group games could be played on home soil.
That being the case, it would take an extraordinary collapse in form to be denied a place at the finals.
They could even lose three of their last four games and still make it.
Rwanda, Benin and Nigeria must all meet each other before the end of the qualifiers, so someone will drop points along the way.
The danger for Bafana most likely comes from a surge from Nigeria, who would need to win their remaining four games to get to 18 points in a group where only the top team advances to the final and the four best secondplaced sides go into an arduous inter-continental play-off system.
Should Nigeria get a 100% record in their final qualifiers, Bafana would likely still only have to beat two of Lesotho, Rwanda and Zimbabwe to ensure qualification.
Despite a star-studded squad, there is no evidence Nigeria will get another 12 points.
They have one win from their first six qualifiers to go with four draws and a defeat to Rwanda.
They have drawn all three home games 1–1, including to Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
They have excellent individual players, but for whatever reason struggle to play as a team and that has cost them dearly.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos has improved the mentality of his squad more than anything and that will be crucial in these two games.
“We needed some time to build this group. In the beginning, when I came to South Africa [in 2021], it was not so easy in the first year,” Broos said.
“There were a lot of problems, but we went and looked for the right players for all positions, and we found them And I think now we have a very good team. Now, we can even change players, and our performances will not be affected. So, that means that we are strong, and we have to be confident and not be afraid of any opponent playing against us. The only thing we have to do is hard work as we have been doing till now, not thinking that everything has already been done.”
“But we are in a good position now. Looking at our group, if we do not do stupid things, we are very close to qualifying for the World Cup.”
