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Samuel Nkosi

Why injuries and points deductions won’t derail Bafana Bafana’s World Cup dream as Hugo Broos' squad face their final hurdles against Zimbabwe and Rwanda

With the national team's bid to reach the quadrennial competition's finals in 2026 hanging in the balance after several recent setbacks, GOAL examines the reasons why South Africa has what it takes to win their remaining two matches to top Group C and qualify directly for the tournament in June next year.

Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup dream is beaming brighter than ever, fuelled by the unwavering determination of head coach Hugo Broos and his team. 

Despite Broos and his team facing setbacks, a crippling three-point deduction, and injuries to key players, South Africa’s team spirit remains unbroken.   

As they stare down the barrel of adversity, Bafana is gearing up for a remarkable response, one that could catapult them to the pinnacle of global showpiece, the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

In the past few days, Bafana have been a hot topic after being sanctioned by FIFA with a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, who was suspended against Lesotho due to the accumulation of two yellow cards.

The docking of points meant that the 2023 AFCON bronze medallists dropped to second place in Group C of the World Cup Qualifiers with 14 points. They are level on points with Benin, who have moved to the summit of the table with a superior goal difference (+4 vs +3). 

Meanwhile, Bafana have also suffered another setback in their squad preparations after injuries to key players, Relebohile Mofokeng and Iqraam Rayners. The duo has been replaced by Mduduzi Shabalala and Evidence Makgopa, respectively.

GOAL delves into Bafana’s resilience ahead of two must-win Qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda:

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  • Hugo Broos, South Africa, October 2025Backpage

    Hugo Broos

    The Belgian tactician has taken Bafana to the next level since taking over the hot seat in 2021, adopting a team that lost the backing of its supporters due to the underwhelming performances before his arrival.

    Broos turned Bafana into one of the most feared teams on the African continent, improving South Africa's FIFA World Ranking by 20 places, and impressing fans with his enterprising brand of football.  

    The 1996 AFCON winners are on a 22-match unbeaten run, the same number as one of Europe's finest sides, Spain, while fellow African World Cup hopefuls Senegal lead the way with a 24-match streak.  

    Broos’ impeccable record at Bafana saw him finish third in the last AFCON finals, which earned him even more respect, so much so that no one can question his squad choices and abilities anymore. 

    The experienced mentor will be the first South African senior men's coach to seal an outright qualification to the World Cup since 2002.

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  • Thembinkosi Lorch, Wydad AC vs Manchester CityWydad AC

    Squad Depth

    The pool of talent in the PSL and across other leagues for Bafana has given Hugo Broos a wide variety of options to select a competitive squad in every international break. 

    A typical example that proved the Bafana's squad depth was when key midfielder Sphephelo Sithole missed action due to a long-term injury, whereas Mamelodi Sundowns star Khuliso Mudau also missed the past camp in September due to contract disputes with his club. The duo’s unavailability was replaced by players who are equally talented.

    Meanwhile, the exclusion of Sekhukhune United striker Bradley Brobler and the highly-rated Wydad Casablanca winger Thembinkosi Lorch says a lot about the depth in the team. 

    Grobler has netted eight goals in 12 appearances across all competitions, while Lorch has proven his qualities with big performances against European giants Manchester City and Juventus FC at the FIFA Club World Cup over three months ago. 

    Moreover, the emerging talent such as Tshepang Moremi, Malibongwe Khoza, Mohau Nkota, Kamogelo Sebelebele, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi in the past few months paints a vivid picture about the qualitative depth of Bafana. 

  • Bafana Bafana, August 2025Backpage

    In-form Bafana Bafana

    In the World Cup Qualifiers, Bafana have been one of the in-form sides after claiming four wins, two draws, and one defeat before the three-point deduction, with a 3-0 scoreline handed to Lesotho.

    They produced convincing wins against Zimbabwe, Benin, and Lesotho, played two draws against Nigeria, and suffered a defeat away against Rwanda, the results they’ll be looking to avenge when the two nations meet next week, on Tuesday.

    In addition, Bafana have also qualified for the upcoming AFCON in Morocco later this year. South Africa finished the qualification campaign for the Nations Cup at the top of Group K with 14 points after winning four games, drawing two in six matches.

    Based on the recent Bafana form, the odds are bending towards their side to collect maximum points against Zimbabwe and Rwanda to book a flight to the World Cup.  

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  • Washington Arubi of ZimbabweBackpage

    Final Group C opponents

    Zimbabwe is coming into the encounter against Bafana, sitting at the bottom of Group C with just four points accumulated. The Zim Warriors are the only side that’s yet to taste a victory in the qualifiers after playing four draws and losing on four occasions in eight games, while conceding the most goals by any side in the group, 11. 

    On the other hand, Rwanda is positioned fourth on the table with 11 points in eight games, having claimed three wins, two defeats, and three losses. One of those wins was against Bafana in Match Day 2 when Broos' men were uncharacteristically sloppy at the back, and blunt going forward. 

    Bafana will wish to put that right at the Mbombela Stadium and will be helped by Rwanda's poor form on the road after only collecting two points against Lesotho and Zimbabwe. 

  • FBL-WC-2026-AFRICA-QUALIFIER-RSA-NGAAFP

    Challengers meet each other

    One major advantage for Bafana in the two closing matches of the qualifiers is that Benin and Nigeria, who are the direct challengers in securing top spot in Group C, face each other in the final round of matches on Tuesday, October 14. 

    One or both of the teams will drop points to give Bafana an even opportunity to claim the pole position in Group C. 

    While Nigeria have been unconvincing after collecting maximum points only two times, playing five draws, and losing once, they do have home advantage and still a faint chance of qualifying, so it will be no easy feat for Benin to grab three points in Uyo.

    There's also the small matter that both of Benin's final group matches are away from home and they must first beat Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium on Friday.  

    The Wasps are formidable opponents at home, as South Africa found out in Match Day 2, and they need three points to keep their own faint qualifying hopes alive too.    

  • Bathusi Aubaas, Bafana Bafana vs Super EaglesBackpage

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