How Bafana Bafana fared in the last three failed attempts to qualify for the World Cup

SA, under coach Broos, finally broke the curse

- By Kgomotso Mokoena

Bafana Bafana finally broke the curse of failing three times in a row to qualify for Fifa World Cups since 20002, something that had turned the once powerhouse into a laughing stock on the continent.

But this week, under the cunning Belgian Hugo Broos, South Africa will be participating in a World Cup after a 16-year absence — the last time being in 2010, when they participated as hosts.

In the penultimate round, the top 28-ranked CAF teams were joined by the 12 winners from the first round. These teams were drawn into ten groups of four teams at the World Cup Preliminary Draw. The top team from each group advanced to the third round, and Bafana were in Group A against Ethiopia, Botswana and Central African Republic.