Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos and captain Ronwen Williams have identified a similar key factor they believe will boost the team’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Broos’ troops’ qualification journey has been complicated. They were initially cruising at the top of Group C until a setback when they were docked three points for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, against Lesotho in March. Mokoena should have been serving a one-match suspension for accumulating two yellow cards.
Now, sitting on 14 points alongside Benin, who lead the group on goal difference, Bafana need maximum points from their final two games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda. They will first ‘visit’ the Warriors at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban before hosting the Amavubi Stars at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
Ahead of these crucial matches, Williams and Broos have both highlighted a singular element that gives South Africa a significant advantage in their final push for the 2026 World Cup.
WHAT HUGO BROOS & RONWEN WILLIAMS
Broos expressed his satisfaction that they were able to replace Sphephelo ‘Yaya’ Sithole during his year-long injury absence. He believes that the players who stepped in have expanded his pool of players. The likes of Thalente Mbatha and Bathusi Aubaas have played alongside Teboho Mokoena in the absence of the dependable Yaya.
“I always followed his recovery very closely because I know he’s an important player for us,” said Broos. “I’m happy at the end of last season, everything went well. He has already played two or three games, so he’s recovered totally. The captain [Williams] said it also, I’m very happy that he is back and that [Khuliso] Mudau is back, not after injury but after a problem with his team.”
Mudau, known as ‘Sailor’, missed the September qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria because he was not playing for his club, Mamelodi Sundowns, due to a dispute. Like Williams, Broos is convinced the return of Yaya and Sailor “injects confidence in the team” and gives the impression that the team that won the bronze medal has reunited.
“There are some players who are very important for the team who are back. That’s also [good] for the group you can be sure…players know also that players that are important. When they are back, that gives us also an injection of confidence. We are nearly the team that won a bronze medal at AFCON, and after that, had some good results. We got a nice injection of confidence with the return of those players. But Yaya, let’s hope he is at the level he was one year ago, and then you have a very good player in the team,” explained the Belgian mentor.
WILLIAMS CONCURS WITH BROOS
National team captain, Williams, concurred with Broos, saying it was good to welcome back the two “familiar faces”.
“It’s been a wonderful week of good preparation,” Williams said. “The preparation has been going well. Everyone reported, and obviously, we had some changes, but the guys who came in have been looking good. It’s good to see some familiar faces back in the team. It’s good to see [Khuliso] Mudau and [Yaya] Sithole back.
“Obviously, we know what happened to Sithole, and to see him back after a year. It’s amazing. The mood in the camp has been good. Training has been amazing, and the guys are looking forward to getting the job done.”
Bafana lock horns with neighbours Zimbabwe at 18h00 on Friday and will be hoping to get maximum points to keep their qualification hopes alive. Thereafter, they will shift focus to the Rwanda game set for Tuesday.
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