Given the regularity with which Hugo Broos has called him up, the Bafana forward is tipped to be among the players that will be taken to the global finals. This will be Nkota's biggest platform to showcase his talent to the world after his breakthrough season at Pirates. Now, a Mzansi legend, who starred in the 1998 finals in France, has thrown a challenge to him.
The 21-year-old has managed to reinvent himself after being discarded by Amakhosi, putting the Soweto giants under scrutiny for letting such a big talent slip away. While he has bounced back strongly from the Naturena setback, he is still chasing his major breakthrough on the international stage. Even though he earned a place in the preliminary squad for the 2025 AFCON, he has yet to firmly establish himself in the national team setup, but would be happy for the recognition.
The versatile attacker has peaked ahead of the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations, which is good news for coach Hugo Broos and the entire South Africa at large, owing to his impact on the pitch. Despite being just 21, the Bafana Bafana star has won the Buccaneers several domestic titles owing to his quality in the final third.
The 26-year-old has been handed a lifeline in his international career as he heads to the continental competition with South Africa. He makes his return to the national team after a brief absence that followed his club switch and a dip in form. Now back on top of his game, his performances have convinced the technical team that he can add value to the national side again.
The Premier Soccer League leaders marched into the final at New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, December 6, chasing a second trophy of the campaign, having already lifted the MTN8 earlier in the season. Standing in their way were Bahlabane ba Ntwa, determined to script history by claiming their first-ever piece of major silverware in the top-flight.
The senior national team played in the 1998, 2002, and 2010 global competitions but failed to get past the initial hurdle. A majority of the supporters in the country believe that could change in the 2026 edition to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada after Friday's draw that saw Mzansi being placed in what they feel is a manageable group.
In what is expected to be a nostalgic reunion, South Africa and Mexico will meet to relive the emotional moments experienced in 2010. Bafana and El Tri met in the opening game then, and although the North Americans fought back to earn a draw, the noise that followed the goal scored by Siphiwe Tshabalala still rings in the ears of the many African football fans. It was not only a classic long-range strike, but it was also the first World Cup goal scored on African soil.
The Belgian mentor recently unveiled his final 25‑man squad set to carry South Africa’s hopes at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. With a blend of seasoned campaigners and rising talents, the group will aim to showcase resilience, unity and ambition on the continental stage as Bafana Bafana prepare to fly the national flag high in pursuit of glory.
Bafana arrive in Morocco carrying a heavy load of expectations after finishing third at the last edition of the continental competition. Failure to reach the semi-finals would likely be considered as underperforming, and Hugo Broos would not want his charges to experience such a scenario. While failure at this tournament could have a negative impact of demoralising the team, a former South Africa coach sees it as a blessing in disguise.
The Premier Soccer League giants are set to sharpen themselves with opponents outside the country as the season takes a break. The league will go into a break to allow players to represent their respective countries in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco. Five of the Masandawana stars will be part of Hugo Broos' team, but the rest will not have as much rest, as they are scheduled to participate in the tournament.
The 61-year-old celebrated South African tactician believes Hugo Broos' men have enough quality to ensure they don't fall in the initial phase of the prestigious global competition that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The senior national team has, in the past, not made the knockout stage.
Mexico now know their path for the 2026 World Cup. El Tri will open the tournament at the Estadio Azteca against South Africa (61), marking the first time an opening match from a previous edition has been repeated. South Korea (22) and the winner of a European playoff round out a Group A that also spares Javier Aguirre’s squad from several higher-profile opponents.
South Africa are set for the tournament, where they have been placed in Group A alongside the co-hosts, hoping to get the needed result that will see them get into the knockout phase. The country has never made it past the initial phase in the competition, and this will be a massive chance for them to show the world what they are made of.
The World Cup 2026 draw has been made, with England set to face Croatia in the group stages, and the USMNT to take on Australia. Brazil have been drawn with Morocco, while France will play Senegal and Argentina must face Austria.
The South African national team is just a few days away from departing for Morocco, where they will continue their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations, kicking off on December 21. For a certain PSL right-back, who has earned a place in Hugo Broos’ 25-man squad, a new chapter begins. He will be aiming to see his career reach new heights while gaining valuable experience on the continental stage.
The multiple Premier Soccer League winner was snubbed when the Belgian announced the squad he will be taking to the continental finals in Morocco. Although many were surprised that the experienced star was not called up, some have argued that Broos made the right decision in overlooking him.
The World Cup fever pitch has already started as FIFA is set to conduct the draw for the 2026 finals, set to be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada. After a gruelling World Cup campaign, Bafana will now be eager to know who their preliminary opponents will be in next year's global showpiece. This will be South Africa's first involvement in the finals for over a decade since they hosted the event in 2010.
South Africa's World Cup group opponents will be officially revealed on Friday evening, with the draw set to take place at the John F. Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC, United States. The Mzansi side has been placed in Pot 3, alongside Norway, Egypt, Tunisia, Panama, Ivory Coast, Paraguay, Qatar, Scotland, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Algeria.
The much-anticipated global football tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
South Africa find themselves in seemingly challenging Group B at the continental tournament alongside Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe. Navigating through this pool will be crucial if they are to reach the knockout rounds. They are determined to improve on their previous campaign, where they secured a bronze medal. However, doubts have surfaced after an experienced coach questioned the squad selected by the Belgian tactician. That scrutiny has added extra pressure on the team to prove their capabilities on the big stage.
Sundowns’ shot-stopper has faced heavy criticism after failing to clear a threatening attack that resulted in the Pretoria side settling for a single point in a 1-1 draw against the Bloemfontein outfit. The costly moment saw the Brazilians heading into the Premier Soccer League mid-break in second place on the log table, leaving them in an unfamiliar predicament.
The 20-year-old centre-back is on his way to North America despite widespread expectations that he would secure a move to Europe. His move has raised questions about how it could influence his international prospects as Bafana Bafana prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Looking at the bigger picture, he will be hoping the move does not jeopardise his chances of making Hugo Broos’ final squad for the global football competition.
The Sea Robbers are gearing up for an impactful finish to the first half of the 2025/26 Premier Soccer League campaign, with another piece of silverware on the line. Pirates are set to lock horns with Bahlabane Ba Ntwa in the Knockout Cup finale, taking center stage at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The two Sea Robbers were teammates at defunct SuperSport United before they took different paths. Now at Bucs, they are teammates again and have both become crucial players for the Soweto giants in their debut seasons. They are also teammates on the national team and, in a few weeks' time, will be heading to the AFCON finals.
The Buccaneers coach has applauded his players for dominating the South Africa final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The Soweto giants have provided nine players to Hugo Broos' 25-member selection that will head to the continental competition. This sees The Ghost taking over from the Brazilians who used to dominate the national side at the last edition.
The Bafana defender has signed with the Major League Soccer side, and the confirmation of his move came just days before a second cup final for Pirates this season. The 20-year-old centre-back was a pivotal player in Bucs' campaign, and appearing in the final should be a befitting goodbye for his efforts. As the Sea Robbers hunt for another trophy, only Gallants stand between them and the cup glory.
The former Bucs coach is in South Africa as a brand advocate for Carling Black Label, the sponsors of the Carling Knockout Cup, and shared his thoughts on the impact the Belgian tactician has had on the national team.
South Africa
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