South Africa’s Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has made a bold prediction that Bafana Bafana will reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Hugo Broos’ men are in the Round of 32 of the global football showpiece and will meet co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday, with kick-off set for 9pm CAT. The milestone comes after they secured a spot in the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
They navigated through Group A in a campaign they started on the back foot after losing 2-0 to another co-host, Mexico. But the 1996 African champions then picked themselves up to draw 1-1 with Czech Republic before stunning South Korea 1-0 to conclude their group business sitting second on the table.
They now face Canada, who also finished second in Group B. The North Americans kicked off the World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina. But they recovered to wallop Qatar 6-0 before wrapping up this phase with a defeat, falling 2-1 to Switzerland.
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McKenzie’s eyes are already set on Bafana possibly clashing with the Netherlands in the Round of 16. But that is dependent on South Africa beating Canada while the Dutch overcome Morocco in the Last 32.
“I see Bafana going to the final. This is not a madman speaking. I said this after we lost to Mexico. I have seen something special in this team,” McKenzie said in an interview with FARost.
“South Africa, we are a special nation, and we are going to beat Canada 3-0, then we will meet either the Netherlands or Morocco. I don’t think Morocco is going to beat the Netherlands; I think the Netherlands will beat Morocco. So, we will then demolish the Netherlands, and then we will be one of the top teams in the world.
“I’m saying it’s fine if you don’t believe that Bafana Bafana are going to the final. You called me crazy when I said Bafana would qualify for the World Cup. You called me crazy when I posted saying we are going to score in the second half [against South Korea] and win the game.”
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The sports minister added that Bafana will not only reach the World Cup final, but will also clinch the ultimate global football prize.
“So, call me crazy again; you will see me at OR Tambo [International Airport] when I come there holding the World Cup trophy with our players,” added McKenzie. “I believe in this team, I believe in South Africans, in Bafana Bafana and Hugo Broos. This is just not me speaking excitedly. No. I speak on facts.
“This is the best team we have ever assembled on the continent. We are going very far. We are the only team that is facing two host nations. We are going far as Bafana Bafana, I believe.”
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