Five key moments that led to Bafana Bafana's looming World Cup Qualifying failure as Hugo Broos' men now need a miracle set of results to qualify

Themba Zwane’s Achilles tendon injury has dealt a significant blow to Bafana Bafana’s World Cup campaign. The midfielder’s absence has been deeply felt, with the team struggling for a creative spark to open up defences and dominate matches for the whole 90 minutes. 

The highly-rated playmaker attacker has proven his qualities in national team colours, playing a pivotal role in helping the team clinch a bronze medal in the 2023 AFCON in the Ivory Coast. 

His injury setback has left a noticeable void, and it has been made worse by the injury of Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick Maswanganyi's dip in form and lack of game time at Orlando Pirates.

Bafana’s World Cup qualification hopes took a major hit after their surprising 2-0 loss against Rwanda in Match Day 2. 

Despite dominating the match, South Africa were undone by the physical nature of Rwanda's attack and the unexpected loss put the 1996 Nations Cup winners under pressure in the group and made their path to the 2026 global showpiece increasingly treacherous.  

The Rwanda result was South Africa's only loss on the road in the competition (P5 W2 D2 L1), but it was, as it turns out, the three points that would have made all the difference.   

In one of the biggest talking points of the World Cup Qualifiers, the football governing body FIFA deducted three points from Bafana after they fielded Teboho Mokoena, who was suspended due to the accumulation of two yellow cards.

The Mokoena saga dominated headlines and surely the team's thoughts until FIFA finally announced their points deduction decision late last month. 

The decision changed the complexion of the group as Bafana went from a comfortable three point lead at the summit, to being in second place on goal difference with no room for error. Putting extra pressure on the team to get results in their last two remaining matches.  

In the past few years, Sundowns stars have dominated in the Bafana squad, bringing their impressive form from club level to the national team. The Tshwane giants' impact on Bafana was evident during the previous AFCON, where the team finished third in the tournament with as many as six or seven Masandawana players starting each match.

South Africa had players such as Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala, Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba, Teboho Mokoena, Thapelo Morena, Thapelo Maseko, and Themba Zwane playing a huge role in the team’s winning formula.

However, Hugo Broos' troops are seemingly feeling the pinch of Sundowns losing their best form in the early part of the season as they look to recover from their Club World Cup extended 2024/25 season.   

The Brazilians have had a challenging start to the 2025/26 season under Miguel Cardoso after crashing out of the MTN8 and Carling Knockout.

Hugo Broos has continued to snub in-form players in the PSL and across other leagues. The Belgian tactician has overlooked Thembinkosi Lorch, Bradley Globler, Keletso Makgalwa, and Puso Dithejane, to name but a few of the players who have impressed on the pitch but not been rewarded with call-ups.  

Before coming back to his senses, Broos made the same mistake with Themba Zwane during his early days in the Bafana job, and the Tembisa-born star went on to play a major role in the team.   

When faced with questions from the media over his selection choices, Broos tends not to take any criticism on board. 

In response to questions on why Lorch and Grobler had missed out on his injury-ravaged squad ahead of this international break, he said, 'This is a selection and that's it.'

BAFANA BAFANA

FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS 

HUGO BROOS

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS

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