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Ronwen Williams, South Africa, October 2025Backpage
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Ronwen Williams reveals how bad moments propelled Bafana Bafana amid pressure in World Cup qualifiers

South Africa will be part of the global competition once again for the first time since 2010, when they hosted it. However, this achievement came against some odds, as Mzansi were faced with what appeared like an insurmountable challenge, which, in the end, they overcame.

  • Ronwen Williams, Bafana BafanaBackpage

    Amazing team spirit

    Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams has explained how his teammates held together during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

    After facing numerous setbacks in the qualification journey, Bafana finally managed to grab a ticket back to the World Cup finals, and this happened by sheer courage to stick together, according to Williams.    

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  • Ronwen Williams, South Africa, October 2025Backpage

    'Lost for words'

    “It is amazing; I am lost for words,” Williams told SABC TV.

    “I don’t think we realise what we have just done. This is history. I am so proud of leading this team. What we have done here is amazing, and I think as time goes by, it will probably sink in. But I am so proud of this team, the players, and especially the coach and the technical team," he added. 

    “There have been good and bad moments, but in those bad moments, we have stuck together. That is what we asked for in the last few days. In the good moments, it is easy to be a team, but in the bad moments, that is when you have to draw strength from one another.”

  • Bafana Bafana, South AfricaBackpage

    Against odds

    South Africa faced two major setbacks in the latter stages of their qualification journey. First, their points were deducted by FIFA for fielding Teboho Mokoena, who was not supposed to play, as he was suspended. 

    After their points were reduced, their immediate game was against Zimbabwe, and the Warriors frustrated them to a goalless draw. This is a game that South Africa needed to win to boost their qualification chances.  

    Despite the two setbacks, Bafana saw off Rwanda in the last qualifier to book their slot in next year's World Cup finals. But this was made possible by Nigeria, who defeated Benin to ensure Bafana went top.    

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  • Bafana Bafana vs Zimbabwe, 2025Backpage

    What comes next for Bafana?

    After sticking together and booking their place in the 2026 finals, Bafana must make sure they show the same determination in future games.  

    Hugo Broos has a long time to prepare his charges for the African Cup of Nations finals that will begin in December this year. Thereafter, focus will shift to the World Cup finals.    

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