Bafana Bafana has successfully navigated one of their most controversial qualifying campaigns in recent history, securing their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Under the stewardship of coach Hugo Broos, the South African national team clinched qualification on Tuesday, marking their return to the global showpiece for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010.
Read: Themba Zwane Salutes the Nation as Bafana Bafana Secure 2026 FIFA World Cup Berth
The journey was a tumultuous one, defined by impressive performances punctuated by a critical off-field disciplinary hurdle.
The Early Momentum and the Unraveling
South Africa kicked off their campaign in Group C in June 2024 with a confidence-boosting 1-1 draw against group favorites Nigeria in Uyo, with veteran midfielder Themba Zwane shining brightly.
Days later, a confident Bafana Bafana secured a convincing 3-1 victory over neighbors Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium, featuring a critical brace from half-time substitute Thapelo Morena.
The first major bump arrived in March 2025. South Africa defeated Lesotho 2-0 in a fixture that would soon become the focal point of a major controversy. It emerged that midfielder Teboho Mokoena was ineligible for the match, having accumulated two yellow cards previously.
This oversight led to the Mamelodi Sundowns star being dropped from the subsequent squad that defeated Benin 2-0 four days later, a win that initially put Bafana in control of the group.
The Point Deduction and the Final Hurdle
In September 2025, Coach Broos led the team to a dominant 3-0 win against Lesotho, seemingly placing them within touching distance of qualification before a crucial 1-1 draw with Nigeria back at the Free State Stadium.
Then, on September 30th, the hammer fell. FIFA officially docked Bafana Bafana three World Cup Qualifying points for fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho.
The disciplinary action awarded the Crocodiles a 3-0 win for the fixture, immediately dropping South Africa into second place in the group with only two matches remaining: a must-win home fixture against Zimbabwe and the final clash against Rwanda.
The subsequent match against bottom-of-the-table Zimbabwe, played at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium due to the unsuitability of Zimbabwean grounds, proved to be frustrating. Despite dominating play and hitting the woodwork twice through Mohau Nkota and Lyle Foster, Bafana failed to find the back of the net, ending in a disappointing goalless draw.
This result meant the team had a clear, high-pressure scenario for the final day: they had to win against Rwanda and hope that Nigeria defeated group leaders Benin in the other fixture to secure qualification.
The Decisive Final Day Triumph
For the final, winner-takes-all clash against Rwanda, Broos had to contend with the suspension of young star Mbekezeli Mbokazi and the injury of key striker Lyle Foster. The Belgian tactician made four crucial changes, pushing his team to score as many goals as possible to improve their goal difference, just in case Benin managed a win or a draw against the Super Eagles.
The action started quickly and dramatically. Thalente Mbatha gave South Africa an early lead in the fifth minute at Mbombela Stadium, shortly after news filtered through that Nigeria had also scored their opener against Benin.
Oswin Appollis doubled the lead in the 26th minute, sending the home crowd into raptures. Minutes later, Nigeria scored their second, solidifying Bafana’s control of Group C at half-time.
Any lingering doubts were decisively erased in the second half. Evidence Makgopa rose highest to meet a corner kick, netting the final goal for Bafana Bafana. With Nigeria cruising to a 4-0 victory, South Africa’s 3-0 win was more than enough.
The national team had overcome a significant point deduction and a frustrating draw to finish top of the group, booking their flight to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.