When it seemed like Bafana Bafana versing the Brazilian soccer team was on the cards in 2025, faith had decided otherwise. In terms of qualification the South African team was rumoured to be a potential subtle opponent for Brazil this year. The Brazilians however switched to another opponent to beat in terms of African nations.
The Selecao have completed their qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. CONMEBOL qualifiers ended during the September international break and, despite a woeful run by their lofty standards, finishing in fifth place, the South American giants still secured their ticket to the newly expanded global showpiece, which kicks off at the end of the 2025/26 club season. In preparation for the tournament in Mexico, Canada and the United States, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are aiming to test themselves against teams from across the globe. During the next international break they will face Asian powerhouses Japan and South Korea, and earlier this year it emerged that they were also targeting African opposition.
South Africa, along with Egypt, Morocco and Ivory Coast, were among the nations touted as potential opponents for the five-time World Cup winners. However, according to AfrikFoot, it is Senegal who are now set to meet Marquinhos and company.
Soccer can be as tough and intense as any other professional sport. Brazil as the reigning champions want to test their metal against the other teams in preparation for the next World Cup. National Soccer teams from across the world will be measuring their strength and talent against each other. From South America to Asia and Europe professional soccer players are gearing up to oppose each other on the pitch. The main goal is of course to determine who will be the best team. At the moment Brazil holds the title of world champion. South Africa’s failure to be chosen to go against Brazil shows that Bafana Bafana is not what it used to be.
South Africa desperately needs to clean up its act as regards to making Bafana Bafana a competitive force on the soccer field. Their decline and replacement by Senegal indicate that the South African Football Association (SAFA) needs to see some dismissals and replacements.
The South African Football Association must take full accountability for the monumental blunder that’s cost Bafana Bafana their top spot in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers. As a country, we watched with pride as Bafana delivered one of their best qualifying campaigns in 25 years, believing the team would book their place in North America with ease. Now, they face the massive task of winning both remaining games and praying other results go their way. Their fate was once in their hands. Not anymore. All because someone couldn’t keep track of yellow cards. It should have been flagged that Teboho Mokoena was ineligible to face Lesotho. Instead, Bafana’s 2-0 victory has been overturned into a 3-0 defeat. What a fiasco. If South Africa miss out on the World Cup because of this, heads must roll – starting with SAFA president Danny Jordaan.
If SAFA does not improve its brand and Bafana Bafana’s quality as a team, South Africa may not qualify for the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup at the next round. Bafana Bafana’s eligibility will take a huge hit if it does not go against Brazil in the first round. If Bafana Bafana becoming a competitive force again means SAFA president Danny Jordan must step down then that it is was what must be done. The fiasco with the yellow cards being taken significantly damaged the integrity and reputation of Bafana Bafana on the football pitch. The dismissal of Jordan and his entire committee needs to take effect immediately. Deliberate sabotage of the national soccer team warrants dismissals from the helm of South Africa’s highest football governance body. To retain the same committee in charge of FIFA is unethical. Jordaan and the rest of his committee must go. Dismissed by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
