Former Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana defender, Gavin ‘Stability Unit’ Lane, has weighed in on South Africa’s precarious 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, offering a direct formula for the team to secure their spot in the global showpiece.
South Africa host Rwanda in a must-win match at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday as they conclude the bid to secure a ticket for the tournament to be hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico. But it is not entirely in Bafana’s hands as Nigeria seemingly hold the keys to their quest to return to the global stage.
Even if Hugo Broos’ men beat Rwanda, Nigeria have to collect three points against Group C leaders Benin at home on Tuesday. South Africa, currently second on the table with two points fewer than Benin, complicated their situation when they failed to score in the 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe in Durban on Friday.
They now go into the Rwanda match pinning hopes on the Super Eagles while they also have to pick maximum points from their visitors. Nigeria are third on the standings and still entertain hopes of qualifying for the World Cup.
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“I was playing golf with Gavin Hunt yesterday [Saturday] and we were talking about Bafana Bafana. We were saying if you don’t score, you won’t go to the World Cup, it’s as simple as that. No two ways about it,” Lane told FARPost.
“We have to get a victory and that’s the main thing. If you are not taking your chances, you just play and hope to win. We need three points and take it from there, I know it is a difficult game.
“Benin are playing Nigeria in Nigeria but you can’t rely on other teams. On this one, we just need to get in there and get the three points, make sure of it.
“I expect the players to go out there and give 120 percent, every single player even if you are coming off the bench. Go out there and make the country proud. You are not just playing for yourself and your teammates, you are playing for everyone in South Africa,” added the man who was capped two times by Bafana.
“They have an opportunity, imagine going to the World Cup is beautiful. That’s what they have to look at and think of.”
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