Win, lose or draw: Bafana Bafana are still FIFA World Cup qualifying favourites

South Africa’s qualifying campaign so far has been a model of consistency. Fives wins, 13 goals scored, five conceded and 16 points from a total of seven matches played underline a team that has found balance.  

That plus eight goal difference isn’t just cosmetic - it highlights a side capable of controlling matches while punishing opponents. In a long qualifying campaign, momentum is gold and Bafana’s current form shows they’ve struck it rich.  

The Nigeria clash carries weight - for bragging rights, confidence, and momentum, but it’s not the do-or-die fixture it’s often made out to be. Even a defeat would leave South Africa at the top of the group, still ahead of the chasing pack.  

A draw keeps their rivals at arm’s length, and a victory would all but slam the door shut on the Super Eagles. It’s a high-stakes game, but not a final - more of a barometer of Bafana’s readiness for the global stage.  

Qualification isn’t just about your own results; it’s also about who your rivals face. Nigeria and Benin still have to meet on 13 October, meaning at least one contender will drop points.  

With the group structured the way it is, it’s almost impossible for both to close the gap on South Africa simultaneously. That dynamic gives Bafana breathing room: their rivals must be perfect and hope for a stumble, while Broos’ men simply need to keep their rhythm.  

After Nigeria, the path eases considerably. Next up is Zimbabwe, who remain winless and sit at the bottom of the group - a team Bafana will expect to handle, even away from home.  

The campaign then closes against Rwanda, currently fourth with a poor away record, providing another opportunity for South Africa to secure points on home soil. Compared with Nigeria’s more demanding run-in, Bafana’s roadmap looks far smoother.  

What makes Bafana favourites isn’t just mathematics; it’s identity. Hugo Broos has built a side that marries defensive solidity with attacking spark.  

Mohau Nkota’s rise, Lyle Foster’s cutting edge and Oswin Appollis’ dynamism have added variety to a system already anchored by a disciplined backline. This is a team no longer searching for its personality - it has found it. And that, more than any single result, is what makes South Africa favourites to finally return to the world’s biggest stage. 

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