Bafana Bafana’s has a complicated journey to World Cup victory
Katlego Sekhu
Bafana Bafana find themselves at a crucial point in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification journey. With only two matches remaining in the group stage of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) qualifiers, every point now carries significant weight.
The expanded 48-team tournament, set to take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, allows nine African nations to qualify directly. However, only the winners of each of the nine groups are guaranteed automatic entry.
South Africa currently sit second in Group C, level on points with Benin but trailing narrowly on goal difference (+3 compared to Benin’s +4). Nigeria also remain in contention, adding further pressure to the group standings.
South Africa’s campaign was dealt a setback earlier this year when FIFA sanctioned the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player, resulting in a points deduction. The team must now work harder to reclaim lost ground and keep their qualification hopes alive.
The path forward lies in their final two fixtures: against Zimbabwe on Friday, 10 October 2025, and Rwanda on Tuesday, 14 October 2025. Securing victories in both matches is non-negotiable, as six points would lift Bafana to 20 points, likely enough to top Group C.
Benin, meanwhile, face both of their remaining fixtures away from home, including challenging trips to Rwanda and Nigeria. This presents South Africa with an opportunity to capitalise on their home advantage, strengthen their goal difference, and potentially overtake Benin’s slim lead.
If South Africa and Benin finish level on 20 points, FIFA’s tiebreaker rules will come into play. The first criterion is overall goal difference, followed by total goals scored, head-to-head results, and disciplinary records. At present, Benin’s slight edge in goal difference means South Africa must not only win but aim to do so convincingly.
Should Bafana Bafana finish second, their qualification dream remains alive but uncertain. The four best runners-up across the nine CAF groups will enter a playoff stage, with the chance to progress to the inter-confederation playoff for one final shot at reaching the World Cup. However, that route is far more perilous, with no guarantee of success.
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