If Bafana Bafana’s impressive performance against Panama on Friday night is anything to go by, head coach Hugo Broos is going to have serious migraines when he selects his final squad for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, which starts in just couple of months. Broos’ charges definitely raised their hands, and like little schoolgirls, they were shouting “pick me, pick me, coach”.”
Broos is still hoping for another round of friendly internationals in the Fifa break in May – before he finalises his team and for his players to rubberstamp their tickets to the Americas.
It has been a long, five-year journey for the aging Belgian, and the Cinderella story will come to an end after the World Cup. When he started his tenure, it was a struggle to find players good enough to wear the green and yellow jersey. It was in 2021, and winter was fast approaching… and like an old magriza, Broos started knitting, and little did he know that his final product was going to be so warm and the fluffiest.
His mission was a long shot, with PSL fringe players such as Ethan Brooks, Terrance Mashego, Thibang Phete, Nyiko Mobbie, Sphephelo “Yaya” Sithole, Veli Motha, Bruce Bvuma, Victor Letsoalo, Bongo Hlongwane, Siyanda Xulu, Njabulo Ngcobo, Fakrie Lakay, Njabulo Blom and others to make up the team.
And like John Rambo, he soldiered on. His tenacity and confidence made the unfashionable players believe in themselves. He turned them into a bunch of believers who dominated their group but missed the 2022 Qatar World Cup train by a whisker after they were hard done by some nincompoop referee in the last group match against Ghana in Cape Coast.
A new generation of players has emerged, and having played in two Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournaments already, they are now jostling for the biggest prize – a place at the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, the USA and Canada in a couple of months, in June.
The last time Mzansi qualified for a World Cup on the pitch was way back in the 2002 Korea/Japan tournament. South Africa played in the 2010 spectacle on home soil by virtue of being hosts. They have since failed to qualify for Brazil 2014, were forced to watch Russia 2018 on TV, and also did not make the cut for the previous one in Qatar in 2022.
Except for a few regulars such as captain Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Khuliso Mudau, Mbekezeli “TLB” Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Lyle Foster, Thalenthe Mbatha, Evidence Makgopa, and Relebohile Mofokeng, lately, no one is guaranteed a place in the squad.
Competition for places is healthy, and those who are putting in the hard shifts have a good chance of getting the nod.
Broos has also opened the doors for a number of star players. Maturing and balding Jayden Adams makes a return into the fold, and Bongokuhle Hlongwane, who plays for MLS side Minnesota United, who has not featured for Bafana since 2023, has also been roped back. Thapelo Maseko and Mamelodi Sundowns veteran Themba “Mshishi” Zwane, Ime Okon and Renaldo Leaner will get another chance to show Broos if they are worthy.
Broos dropped some stars such as Sipho Chaine and Sipho Mbule, who will have to fight for their places in the team. Other players who were excluded due to form, injury, or technical decisions include Mohau Nkota, Siyabonga Ngezana, Bathusi Aubaas and Elias Mokwana.
From winning bronze at the 2023 Afcon in the Ivory Coast, Bafana took a dip in form in the past Afcon in Morocco, where they were knocked out in the Last 16 by Cameroon. Bafana fans want a new band of heroes.
A lot of great African players were not afforded the opportunity to play at a World Cup, and those who are within a shot must grab the opportunity and give it a big go – it is the biggest sporting tournament and stuff that dreams are made of.
- If Bafana Bafana’s impressive performance against Panama on Friday night is anything to go by, head coach Hugo Broos is going to have serious migraines when he selects his final squad for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, which starts in just couple of months.
- Broos’ charges definitely raised their hands, and like little schoolgirls, they were shouting “pick me, pick me, coach”.” Broos is still hoping for another round of friendly internationals in the Fifa break in May – before he finalises his team and for his players to rubberstamp their tickets to the Americas.
- It has been a long, five-year journey for the aging Belgian, and the Cinderella story will come to an end after the World Cup.
- When he started his tenure, it was a struggle to find players good enough to wear the green and yellow jersey.
- It was in 2021, and winter was fast approaching… and like an old magriza, Broos started knitting, and little did he know that his final product was going to be so warm and the fluffiest.
