South Africa are stepping up their preparations for the upcoming global football tournament, with recent international friendlies serving as a key measure of their progress. Their performances against Central American opponents have come under scrutiny. A former Orlando Pirates player has weighed in, checking the squad’s readiness.
The West African nation are among the 10 teams that will represent the continent of Africa in the prestigious global competition to be played from June 11. Co-hosts Mexico will play South Africa's Bafana Bafana in the opening fixture in what will be a repeat of the 2010 edition that Mzansi hosted.
Harbouring targets beyond the Premier Soccer League, Bucs must strengthen their playing unit further if they are to achieve their continental aspirations. Even before the current season ends, already, the Soweto giants have been linked with a rather well-performing goalkeeper who was recently recognised by the national team coach.
As Mzansi's focus turns to the upcoming global showpiece, coach Hugo Broos is a man that is expected to be under an enormous spotlight. This is because the tactician will name his squad, and as usual, the fans and pundits alike will debate who should have been picked and who should not. But the Belgian is a bold tactician who is never afraid of antagonising people regardless of what they say about his selection.
The Masandawana star's career has seen an incredible rebirth despite initial struggle. His contribution to the team has been highlighted, and why he stands out among the rest is explained. Many also expect him to be part of the Bafana Bafana squad that will take part in the World Cup finals.
The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture has reignited his public feud with Mzansi super fan Joy Chauke by revealing the staggering cost of her previous international travels. The minister disclosed that the taxpayer-funded trip to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France cost R700,000, contradicting claims that funds from the President of South Africa were used.
South Africa's Sports Minister dropped a bombshell on Wednesday when he mentioned that a sports super fan had R700,000 spent on her on one trip to France by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. It is a revelation that appears to have angered fans amid the superfan's demand to have the government sponsor her trip to North America.
The coaching position on the national team continues to be a subject of speculation. The current holder had previously stated he would step down after the World Cup finals, but recently made a contrasting statement. However, Mzansi's most decorated tactician continues to be linked with the position, as many believe his return would inspire Bafana.
South Africa's underwhelming performance in the Africa Cup of Nations is still fresh in the minds of many fans. Despite the high expectations that the supporters placed in the team, Mzansi were knocked out by Cameroon in the Round of 16. Ahead of the global showpiece, fans are managing their confidence and hoping the team will surprise them with a good performance.
South Africa's Sports, Arts and Culture Minister has delivered a blunt response to the Bafana Bafana super fan after she approached FIFA's president for funding for a trip to North America for the global tournament.
The Brazilians head coach has offered a glass-half-full assessment of South Africa’s chances at the upcoming quadrennial tournament. As Hugo Broos' men prepare to return to the global stage in North America, the Portuguese tactician believes the national team has the quality to progress beyond the opening round.
'Nyoso', as he is commonly referred to, played a crucial role in helping his team advance to the quarter-final of the Libyan Cup on Sunday afternoon at the Misrata Stadium as his team secured a 4-1 victory. It was another impressive outing for the former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns attacker, who has been excellent since his move to North Africa.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates star has continued from where he stopped while with Wydad Athletic Club in the Botola Pro league. He was on target on Sunday afternoon as the 39-year-old South African tactician guided the Libyan heavyweights to a big win in his debut in the North African country.
Recently, the South African star has had limited involvement with the English club. However, he returned to the starting lineup recently, and according to his coach, he did well. The praise from the coach should be a morale booster for the Mzansi star as he fights to become a regular starter for his club.
Following a less-than-convincing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign for Bafana Bafana, it comes as little surprise that the Belgian mentor is having second thoughts about stepping away, with plenty of work still to be done. And with no clear successor identified, it remains to be seen, as a former Buccaneers coach believes the Belgian has done a solid job so far and maintains that the final decision rests between the coach and the South African Football Association.
After initial struggles, the Mamelodi Sundowns star has rediscovered his form and become an important figure for his club. His rejuvenation saw him get called up to the Bafana Bafana team, and should he keep his form, his chances of going to the global showpiece are almost assured. Although Hugo Broos has numerous options for the midfield department, he has been asked to deploy the two Downs stars together.
The Sekhukhune United goalkeeper endured a tough introduction as South Africa fell to defeat in a recent international friendly at the DHL Cape Town Stadium. The shot-stopper has come under fire for his role in the loss, but former Premier Soccer League goalkeeper Amon Phophi believes the blame lies elsewhere.
As Masandawana chase the Premier Soccer League and the CAF Champions League glory, they have to deal with a congested calendar. Given that some of their players form the backbone of the national team, it means they had a limited rest during the international break. Broos was asked whether he was going to consider Downs' calendar, and he said that was not his problem.
The Masandawana star is at the sunset of his career, while the Bucs' forward has just begun his career. There has been a raging debate on who will eventually succeed Mshishi given how the experienced playmaker has been influential, especially for his club. President Yama 2000 has shown signs he is ready to step up, but is the debate on who is better coming at the right time?
Although it was a night to forget for South Africa, the Chicago Fire defender stood out. It was his first goal for the national team, and this came as he continues to solidify his position with Hugo Broos' setup. After the goal, the former Orlando Pirates star hopes to have more positive impact for the Bafana going forward.
Football lovers in the country will have a rare opportunity to cheer for their own in the forthcoming global competition to be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. This is the first time in nearly a quarter-century that the National Team qualified for the prestigious tournament. They are in Group A alongside Mexico, the Czech Republic, and South Korea.
The South African National Team made a list of teams that will be chasing the global crown in the tournament that will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11. However, Hugo Broos' men were not impressive in the recent two international friendlies at home about two months before the competition.
South Africa struggled to take their chances in the recent two international friendly outings against Panama, where they drew 1-1 and lost 2-1 respectively. Lyle Foster and Evidence Makgopa were not convincing just two months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
South African football legend Mlungisi "Professor" Ngubane has launched a scathing attack on Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, questioning both his technical setup and recent squad selections. With the FIFA World Cup on the horizon, the iconic former playmaker believes the current trajectory could lead to national humiliation.
The former English Premier League player has leapt to the defence of the Burnley forward after he was criticised by his national team coach. The striker, who previously turned out for Orlando Pirates, has come under scrutiny over his performances for the national side. Despite the criticism, he continues to shoulder the nation’s hopes of being prolific at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The retired South African defender has urged fans to remain patient with the Bafana head coach, backing his long-term vision despite a disappointing friendly defeat to Panama and expressing confidence that the team is still on the right path towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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