Broos rebuilds Bafana, eyes 2026 World Cup success

The national side qualifying for the premier event is a sign of the team's growth under their coach

- By Yanga Sibembe

Before the arrival of Belgian coach Hugo Broos in South Africa, Bafana Bafana qualifying for major tournaments was a particularly strenuous task.

They had not qualified directly for a soccer World Cup since 2002.

Their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) was also not guaranteed. When they did qualify, they could never make it past the quarterfinals — a run that stretched over two decades. Under Broos, Bafana Bafana have now qualified for three major tournaments in a row.

The 2026 World Cup is the latest feather in their cap. Bafana Bafana achieved it by winning Group C ahead of Nigeria — by just a single point. They thrashed Rwanda 3-0 to seal the deal in their final match on Tuesday, 14 October.

This World Cup qualification was preceded by two Afcon qualifications — one for the 2023 edition in Cameroon, where the team picked up a bronze medal. It was South Africa’s first podium placing at the continental showpiece since a third-place finish in 2000.

Bafana Bafana will also be at the 2025 Afcon edition in Morocco. Some observers have already picked the team as a dark horse to win the tournament. However, with countries such as the host nation as well as Senegal and Egypt lurking, it won't be an easy feat.

Roller-coaster qualifying campaign

As Bafana Bafana demonstrated during their roller-coaster World Cup qualification campaign, with a bit of self-belief and camaraderie, anything is possible.

From being docked three points for fielding suspended midfielder Teboho Mokoena in a 2-0 win against Lesotho to drawing in matches they had chances to win, the South Africans were truly tested towards the finish line of what was generally a smooth qualification push.