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Hugo Broos, Bafana BafanaBackpagepix
Celine Abrahams

Winners and Losers: Hugo Broos steers the ship as Oswin Appollis and Thalente Mbatha rise, amid SAFA nearly derailing South Africa’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

From early promise to a costly points deduction, and a final-day showdown that left the nation breathless, South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign was a rollercoaster of brilliance, blunders and bold performances. It was a journey shaped by pressure, resilience and moments that won’t be forgotten.

South Africa’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup was never going to be easy, but few expected it to unravel quite like this. After a strong start in Group C, Bafana Bafana were rocked by a FIFA ruling that stripped them of three points due to an administrative error, after fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoen,a against Lesotho in March.   

Suddenly, a campaign that looked secure became a high-stakes scramble. With the final match against Rwanda in Mbombela and eyes nervously watching Nigeria vs Benin, South Africa’s fate hung in the balance. But, the football gods were in favour of Hugo Broos’ men, who secured a convincing 3-0 win over Rwanda and Nigeria, thumping Benin 4-0 to help the South Africans secure top spot in Group C. 

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from South Africa’s FIFA World Cup Qualification campaign. 

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  • Kopano Melesi, Grant Johnson and Hugo Broos, Bafana BafanaBackpage

    WINNER: Hugo Broos

    The coach held the squad together through chaos. From the administrative fallout to tactical reshuffles, Broos showed leadership and adaptability. His trust in youth and calm demeanour kept South Africa competitive until the final whistle.   

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  • Khama Billiat, Zimbabwe, Mohau Nkota, South Africa, October 2025Backpage

    LOSER: The Zimbabwe draw

    South Africa’s goalless draw against Zimbabwe on Matchday 9 was the campaign’s most damaging result. Despite dominating possession, hitting the woodwork twice, and playing with a man advantage, Bafana couldn’t find the net. 

    That missed opportunity handed Benin a two-point lead and forced South Africa into a must-win scenario against Rwanda. In a group decided by fine margins, this was the moment that nearly cost them everything.  

  • Oswin Appollis and Thalente Mbatha of South AfricaBackpagepix

    WINNER: Thalente Mbatha

    Mbatha’s rise was one of the campaign’s brightest stories. Calm under pressure, tactically sharp, and relentless in midfield, he became a key figure in Hugo Broos’ setup. His performances against Zimbabwe and Rwanda showed maturity beyond his years.  

  • Bafana Bafana, October 2025Backpage

    LOSER: Dependent destiny

    South Africa delivered a commanding 3–0 win over Rwanda, but their qualification still relied on Nigeria beating Benin. It was a strange position for a team that once led the group, needing a favour to secure their spot. 

    While Nigeria’s 4–0 win sealed the deal, the fact that Bafana’s fate wasn’t entirely in their own hands exposed how precarious the campaign had become. For a side with genuine talent and early momentum, reaching the World Cup via external results was a bittersweet ending.  

  • Oswin Appollis of South AfricaBackpagepix

    WINNER: Oswin Appollis

    The Orlando Pirates winger was a revelation. His fearless runs, sharp decision-making, and ability to stretch defences gave South Africa a much-needed edge. Appollis didn’t just play, he made things happen whenever he was given an opportunity to don the national team jersey.   

  • Danny Jordaan, SAFA, October 2025Backpage

    LOSER: SAFA

    The South African Football Association’s failure to properly vet player eligibility led to a devastating points deduction. The error, fielding Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in March, turned a comfortable campaign into a crisis. It was a costly lapse that overshadowed the team’s on-field efforts.  

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