Bafana Bafana Suffers Devastating Defeat Against Rwanda in World Cup Qualifier

Introduction

Bafana Bafana faced a humiliating defeat against Rwanda in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Huye Stadium. The match, played on Tuesday, ended with a 2-0 victory for Rwanda, leaving fans and pundits questioning the team’s performance and ranking.

Match Highlights

Rwanda dominated the first half with goals from Innocent Nshuti (12th minute) and Gilbert Mugisha (28th minute). The defeat adds to Bafana Bafana’s recent struggles under coach Hugo Broos, raising concerns about the team’s overall performance.

FIFA Rankings

Bafana Bafana, currently ranked 12th in Africa and 64th in the world, faced a surprising setback against Rwanda, who sit at 28th in Africa and 140th globally. The defeat prompts speculation on whether this marks one of Bafana Bafana’s worst performances in recent memory.

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Fan Reactions

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Previous Form and Group Standings

Bafana Bafana entered the match after a 2-1 victory over Benin. Placed in Group C alongside Benin, Lesotho, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, the defeat puts South Africa in second place, with Rwanda leading the group.

World Cup Qualification Structure

Teams, drawn into nine groups, will play home-and-away round-robin matches between November 2023 and October 2025. Group winners secure direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the four best group runners-up enter a playoff to determine the final inter-confederation playoff spot.

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Next Steps for Bafana Bafana

Despite the setback, Bafana Bafana looks ahead to their next World Cup qualification match against Nigeria in June 2024. The team will aim to recover and regain momentum in the challenging road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Lineup

Bafana Bafana Starting XI: Williams, Mudau, Xulu, Sibisi, Modiba, Sithole, Mokoena, Zwane, Tau, Hlongwane, Mayambela.

Substitutes: Goss, Mobbie, Makgopa, Cross, Adams, Lepasa, Xoki, Mothwa, Mthethwa, Mokwana, Appollis, Mvala.

Stay tuned for further updates on Bafana Bafana’s journey in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.