Bafana Bafana’s World Cup prospects for the 2026 spectacle, which is played across three countries, Canada, Mexico and the USA, aren’t very high – truth be told, it has never been in the past!
And as cruel as it sounds, it appears that South Africa will again just be making up the numbers at the event, which for the first time has been increased to 48 teams. Bafana Bafana have been drawn in Group A with Mexico, South Korea, and a European nation yet to emerge from the play-off stages.
Apart from the quality of opposition in their group, another reason for the pessimism is that Bafana Bafana’s management has done the national team no favours at all with their questionable planning and preparation for this event.
This is evident from the upcoming fixture schedule against Panama, who they play on Friday 27 March in Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium, followed by the second match at the Cape Town Stadium in the Mother City four days later (Tuesday, 31 March).
Now, the immediate concern which comes to mind is that Broos’ troops will do battle at the World Cup against one of the host countries, Mexico, well above sea level – yet they start off their preparation at venues very close to the coast and sea level – how does this make sense and how could SA’s management disadvantage their own preparation in this manner?
Furthermore, Broos and his troops will approach the two friendlies against Panama as the underdogs, yes, that’s right, the underdogs, for the mere fact that the ConcaCaf member is ranked (33rd) way above Bafana Bafana, who are placed 60th on Fifa’s rankings.
Needless to say, Panama performed flawlessly from start to finish, which saw them top their group at the end of the qualifying campaign. So, Capetonians can expect a proper football encounter for those who might have underestimated or pulled up their noses to the visitors who are expected to arrive in Cape Town on 28 March.
No Bones with Jones understands they will be training at the Athlone Stadium – but this all will be revealed when Safa Cape Town holds a press conference at the Athlone Stadium on Thursday at 12:30.
It’s been nearly two years since Bafana Bafana last played in Cape Town when they faced South Sudan, with more than 50 000 locals coming out to support – one would like to think with a more sterner opposition, this number could possibly top the 60 000-mark, which will justify why the powers that be should bring the men’s national football team to Cape Town more often.
Ticket prices have been set at R80 (adults) and R50 for children under the age of 12 years.
