Bafana Bafana head coach, Hugo Broos(Backpagepix)
Every South African football fan will never forget the 55th minute at Soccer City on the 11 June 2010 – The euphoric memories of Siphiwe Tshabalala’s ferocious left-footed strike, the legendary synchronised dance celebration that followed and became a global symbol of the tournament’s joy and African pride. The goal sparked pure pandemonium and momentarily united a nation historically divided.
Since then, Bafana Bafana’s 16-year absence from the world’s biggest football stage has been primarily caused by administrative instability, a lack of consistent long-term youth development, frequent coaching changes, and stars who dominated the domestic scene but didn’t quite live up to the post-2010 promise.
Under Belgian coach Hugo Broos, the team has seen a resurgence, finishing third in the 2023 AFCON and successfully topping their 2026 World Cup qualifying group. South Africa finished first with 18 points after 10 matches, narrowly edging out Nigeria and Benin. Hugo Broos and his talented squad secured their spot on the 14th of October 2025 with a dominant 3-0 victory over Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium.
In September 2025, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding Teboho Mokoena in a 2 – 0 win against Lesotho on 21 March 2025. Mokoena was ineligible for the match after accumulating two yellow cards in previous qualifiers. SAFA was fined 10,000 Swiss Francs (roughly R215,000), while Mokoena received a formal warning. The decision affected South Africa’s point tally, dropping them to second in Group C.
Entering the final day, South Africa needed a result from Nigeria. The Super Eagles delivered by defeating then-leaders Benin 4-0, which allowed Bafana Bafana to leapfrog both teams into the automatic qualification spot.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup upon us, Hugo Broos shifts his focus to preparation with untamed ambition & hopes of redemption! Their journey to the World Cup mirrors the resilience, mental strength and tactical acumen of their Belgian coach!
The 74-year-old recently announced his final squad for the tournament:
- Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates).
- Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele (both Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire).
- Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela).
- Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol).
The six players who did not make the cut reportedly had to watch from the sidelines while the selected 26 celebrated with President Cyril Ramaphosa. Notably, Brandon Peterson, Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi and Thapelo Morena were all excluded from the squad.
Is Hugo Broos’ squad good enough for the high standards of an intense World Cup tournament?
We are now two weeks away from finding out!
