Hugo Broos’ influence has kept Bafana Bafana in the comforts of their best FIFA rankings over the last decade as they chase qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bafana have their qualification destiny firmly in their hands with four games to play.
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Broos will seek to end his tenure next year sitting on top of the world and has so far delivered on what he was employed to do by keeping Bafana in the top 10 on the continent.
The Belgian has also elevated the senior national team to their highest ranking over the last decade.
According to the latest FIFA rankings, Bafana have maintained position 56 for the second month in a row on the global rankings with a top 50 place in sight.
The last time Bafana got into the top 50 bracket was October 2011 but could get back in again at the end of the year with four World Cup qualifiers plus the AFCON finals coming.
While rankings are key in certain elements, priority for Bafana is qualification for the World Cup to be played in USA/Canada/Mexico.
South Africa last went to the World Cup via qualifiers in 2002 and will do that without needing to look over their shoulders if they win their four remaining games.
Hugo Broos’ men play Lesotho and Nigeria in September, then face Zimbabwe and Rwanda the following month.
Getting past Likuena shouldn’t be an issue and what will count as the key match is the meeting against the Super Eagles.
The latest FIFA rankings show that Nigeria and Mali are the only top 10 ranked countries on the continent not occupying the top two positions (first or second) in the qualifying groups.
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After the World Cup qualifiers, Bafana will end the year at the AFCON finals in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, where they will have Angola, Egypt, and Zimbabwe in their group.
The senior national team are through to their 12th appearance at the biennial competition, doing so after an impressive bronze medal finish at the previous tournament held in Cote d'Ivoire.
Photo: Philip Maeta/Gallo Images
