Legendary former Bafana Bafana captain Neil Tovey believes South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup dream is still alive, and that Benin “have no chance in hell” of beating Nigeria.
Mzansi’s 2026 FIFA World Cup dream comes down to one final, nerve-wracking night in Mpumalanga. After Friday’s goalless draw with 10-man Zimbabwe in Durban, Hugo Broos’ troops have left themselves with no room for mistakes.
Benin’s 1-0 win over Rwanda in Kigali kept them at the summit of Group C with 17 points, two ahead of Bafana. South Africa are now praying for Nigeria to do a massive favour while focusing on their own must-win clash against Rwanda. Both matches kick off simultaneously, setting up a high-stakes finale.
Former Bafana skipper Neil Tovey told FARPost: “Bafana must win, and qualify for the World Cup.”
Despite the Durban setback, Tovey insists all hope isn’t lost. “We just didn’t get the decisive goal [against Zimbababwe], but it’s still in our hands,” Tovey said. “Benin have absolutely no chance of beating Nigeria in Nigeria. Nothing! Not a chance in hell.”
NEIL TOVEY’S MESSAGE TO BAFANA BAFANA PLAYERS
Tovey, who captained Bafana to their 1996 AFCON triumph, says the message to Broos’ players should be straightforward: forget the permutations and focus on business.
“Don’t think about what’s happening elsewhere,” he said. “Ask the players if they want to play in the World Cup, because this is it. They’re 90 minutes away from making history.”
A win against Rwanda, coupled with a Benin slip-up in Uyo, would send South Africa to their first non-automatic World Cup qualification in 23 years. The last time they did it was for the 2002 Korea-Japan edition.
RELATED STORY: Lane prescribes World Cup qualification formula to Bafana Bafana