Bafana Bafana will line up against the globe’s best national soccer teams in June next year after coach Hugo Broos’ charges qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday night.
It was an emotional night at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga but after shrugging off the pressure that accompanied the final day of qualifying, these gallant warriors rose to the challenge and beat Rwanda 3-0 in an exhilarating match that will rightfully occupy its own chapter on the South African sport history books.
The home side made their intentions clear very early in the match when Thalente Mbatha opened the scoring inside five minutes in the first half. Rwanda goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari did not know much about the goal and was notified by the celebrating crowd as the ball kissed the back of the net. Oswin Appollis, who had been a huge source of the numerous migraines that befell the visitors, got in on the act and scored the second of the night in the 25th minute.
It was a delicate work of art that should be on high rotation on the highlight reels and mobile phones around the globe in the coming days. Evidence Makgopa scored the third in the 71st minute to wrap up the game. Bafana Bafana were purring like a Rolls Royce engine that has just come back from full service at that stage and could have ended the game with an embarrassing final score had all the chances they created found the back of the net.
But the soccer gods were smiling on Bafana Bafana nonetheless as qualification to the next World Cup also required traditional rivals Nigeria to begrudgingly play their part and beat Benin, who had led Group C ahead of the final day of qualifying. This match also followed the script to absolute perfection as Nigeria beat Benin 4-0 in Uyo to send Bafana Bafana to the global tournament to be held in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
“Don’t ask me what my emotions are at the moment because I do not have words for them,” Broos said after the match as his charges celebrated the achievement. The Belgian mentor said he wanted to secure qualification more than anyone can imagine and tireless worked on this goal for months. He thanked the entire team for qualifying for the World Cup after years in the wilderness.
He said he was happy to work with the group of players that have been a part of the team over the past couple of years, and added that they have always made themselves available whenever the call came to represent their country.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated the team and said the whole country is looking forward to SA’s flag flying high in Mexico, the United States of America and Canada.
South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan also showered the team with praise and said they have made the country proud on an incredible night in Mbombela.
