World Cup qualifiers: How Bafana Bafana rose above the chaos to qualify

South Africa began their qualification mission against Group C favourites Nigeria in June 2024, with midfielder Themba Zwane shining in a 1-1 draw at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

A confident Bafana Bafana then returned to convincingly beat neighbours Zimbabwe 3-1 a few days later thanks to a brace by half-time substitute Thapelo Morena at the Free State Stadium.

In March 2025, Mzansi hosted Lesotho for what would become a controversial fixture in the qualifying group, with South Africa winning the match 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

However, it soon emerged that the home side may have erroneously fielded midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was ineligible for the match after previously picking up two yellow cards.

This revelation led to the Mamelodi Sundowns star being omitted from the team that defeated Benin 2-0 four days later at the Friendship Stadium to take control of Group C.

In September, head coach Hugo Broos led the squad to a convincing 3-0 victory at the Free State Stadium against Lesotho, seemingly edging closer to securing a World Cup spot before playing out another 1-1 draw with Nigeria at the Free State Stadium.

On the 30th of September, FIFA docked Bafana Bafana three World Cup Qualifying points for fielding Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho on March 21 and handed the Crocodiles a 3-0 win for the fixture.

This disciplinary action saw South Africa slip into second place in the group with two must win matches to go against Zimbabwe and Rwanda left to try and book a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Bafana Bafana were favoured to win against bottom of the table Zimbabwe, who had to play their home fixture in Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium due to no stadiums in the country being deemed unfit to host by CAF and FIFA.

However, South Africa failed to find a goal in a goalless draw against their Southern African neighbours despite dominating the match and hitting the woodwork twice through Mohau Nkota and Lyle Foster.

The result meant that Bafana had to now win the last fixture against Rwanda and hope Nigeria defeat top of the table Benin in order to claim 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.

Hugo Broos reshuffled his pack for the final clash, with young sensation Mbekezeli Mbokazi suspended due to a red card against Zimbabwe and star striker Lyle Foster out injured.

The Belgian coach made four changes to the starting line-up for the Rwanda clash as Bafana looked to score as many goals as possible in order to progress to the play-offs if Benin won or drew their match against Nigeria.

A determined South Africa took an early lead through a Thalente Mbatha strike in the fifth minute, shortly after the Super Eagles had scored their opener in Uyo against Benin.

Oswin Appollis added a much needed second goal in the 26th minute to send the home fans into raptures at the Mbombela stadium, with Nigeria doubling their lead against Benin a few minutes later to put Bafana firmly in control of Group C at half-time.

Any doubts of World Cup qualification were dismissed when Evidence Makgopa rose highest to meet a corner kick and send the home side into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Nigeria claimed a 4-0 win to claim a play-off spot.

Bafana return to the global showpiece for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010.