A victory over Benin on Tuesday is crucial for Bafana Bafana as they aim to secure a spot in the 2026 Fifa World Cup finals in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. This win would significantly boost their chances of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in 24 years through the qualification process.
FIFA has expanded the number of teams participating in the World Cup finals from 32 to 48, resulting in an increase in the automatic qualification spots for African teams from five to nine. The final phase of qualifying consists of nine groups, with the winners of each group earning direct qualification to the finals. The four best group runners-up will enter playoffs to determine the African representative in the inter-confederation playoffs.
Bafana Bafana currently leads Group C, two points ahead of second-placed Benin. A victory against Benin would solidify their position at the top of the group and put them in a favorable position to qualify for the World Cup. Nigeria, initially seen as favorites in the group, have struggled with just three points from their first four matches, making Bafana’s path to qualification more promising.
To secure their spot in the World Cup, Bafana Bafana must continue their winning form against Benin, Rwanda, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. The fact that Lesotho and Zimbabwe are playing their home qualifiers in South Africa works in Bafana’s favor, giving them a virtual home advantage in those matches.
With five games remaining, Bafana Bafana have multiple pathways to finish on top of Group C, but winning their upcoming matches would be the most straightforward route. The upcoming match against Benin is crucial as it could establish Bafana as clear favorites in the group and provide them with the cushion to navigate through the remaining fixtures.
The prospect of four consecutive “home” games at the end of their qualifying campaign further enhances Bafana’s chances of securing a World Cup berth. With their opponents also playing their home games away from their respective countries, Bafana Bafana have a significant advantage in the qualification process.
The fate of Bafana Bafana’s World Cup journey lies in their hands, and a victory over Benin on Tuesday could set them on the path to a historic qualification after a long drought. The team’s performance in the upcoming matches will determine their fate in the quest for a spot in the prestigious World Cup finals.
