WC Countdown: Bafana Bafana returns after topping Super Eagles and its own erorr
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Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 01.06.26. | 16:30
South Africa are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010. They've done it despite a massive and costly administrative mistake
South Africa returns to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since hosting in 2010, when Shakira's "Waka Waka" was a global hit. Four tournaments later, Bafana Bafana joins nine other African teams for the event in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Mozzart Sport Kenya will introduce you to a separate analysis of every African team, in the order of their groups, starting with South Africa, which will be in Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, South Korea, and the Czech Republic.
Interestingly, just as in 2010, South Africa will face Mexico in the opening game. However, this time, fans can expect a different atmosphere, with fewer vuvuzelas and without legendary Siphiwe Tshabalala, who scored the opener in a 1-1 draw, a stunner that eventually made the shortlist for the Puskas Award.
The Belgian veteran coach Hugo Broos, 74, led his side to a somewhat unexpected qualification by topping favourites Nigeria and overcoming an administrative error that could have been very costly. Their vice-captain, Teboho Mokoena, was fielded for the game against Lesotho despite serving a one-game ban for accumulating yellow cards. What followed was a point deduction, but Bafana Bafana prevailed even without these three points to reach the global showpiece. How long can they go now?
The Harambee Stars boss and South Africa’s legendary former striker, Benni McCarthy, is an optimist:
"I think the side has the potential to do well in a tough group, but also where they could make it out and into the next round. The opening game will be hard, but I will not be underestimating South Africa's ability to cause an upset," he told World Soccer magazine.
Main virtues:
Bafana Bafana rely heavily on their wingers, who are very fast with and without the ball. They focus on the transition game and high tempo because speed is one of this side's crucial strengths.
Star of the team:
Their only Premier League player (or at least, he was until the season ended and his team got relegated) is Lyle Foster of Burnley. After struggling with mental issues, he resurrected with the help of then-manager Vincent Kompany. Although 25, the ex-Orlando Pirates forward has plenty of experience, having played in Belgium, Portugal, and France...
Key weaknesses:
Alongside the lack of WC experience, South Africa are not widely regarded as a physical side, struggling to impose their presence in the midfield. That could prove costly, especially against Mexico and Czechia.
Predictions:
This would be one of those very evenly matched groups, leaving Bafana Bafana a decent chance of qualifying for the knockout round, at least as one of the eight best third-placed national teams. Seems like the Round of 32 would be their maximum.
WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE
First round
Thursday, 11.06.
22.00: (1.50) Mexico (4.00) S.Africa (7.25)
Friday, 12. 06.
05.00: (2.70) S.Korea (3.10) Czech R. (2.75)
22.00: (1.85) Canada (3.70) B&H (4.25)
Saturday, 13.06.
04.00: (2.05) USA (3.35) Paraguay (3.80)
22.00: (12.0) Qatar (5.40) Switzerland (1.28)
Sunday, 14.06.
01.00: (1.62) Brazil (3.80) Morocco (5.80)
04.00: (6.80) Haiti (4.45) Scotland (1.47)
07.00: (4.50) Australia (3.50) Turkey (1.83)
20.00: (1.03) Germany (15.0) Curacao (50.0)
02.00: (2.10) Netherlands (3.45) Japan (3.50)
***odds are subject to change***