Ngezana: Bafana Facing Pressure to Secure World Cup Qualification
Bafana Bafana defender Siyabonga Ngezana has acknowledged the significant pressure the team faces in their quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a feat they haven’t achieved on merit for 23 years. The last time they competed was as hosts in 2010.
Bafana Bafana currently holds their fate in their own hands, leading Group C with 13 points from six matches.
The team is set to continue its World Cup qualifying journey in the coming days, taking on Lesotho at Dr. Molemela Stadium this Friday before welcoming Nigeria at Toyota Stadium on Tuesday.
Securing six points from these two fixtures would place Bafana Bafana in a favorable position to secure their spot at the 2026 World Cup finals. Their prospects are further enhanced by the fact that all four of their remaining qualifiers, two of which are in October, are likely to be held on home turf.
“It’s evident that we are under pressure,” stated Ngezana, who plays for FCSB in Romania.
“We haven’t qualified for the FIFA World Cup in so many years, excluding 2010 when we hosted. Achieving qualification through results has been overdue. We have a solid chance now, and so far, things are looking good. Our focus must remain on the upcoming matches because if we secure maximum points, I believe we will do well.”
Despite their promising position, Ngezana, who played a crucial role in helping Bafana Bafana qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, cautioned against underestimating Lesotho.
“I concur with the coach [Hugo Broos]; one cannot underestimate opponents. They deserve respect, and that needs to be demonstrated on the pitch,” said the former Kaizer Chiefs defender.
“Lesotho boasts a talented squad with familiar faces playing in the PSL, and it will be a tough match. It’s bound to be competitive, and we need to bring our best performance. Nonetheless, I have great confidence in this squad because they’ve shown that they can compete at a high level.”
Bafana’s Home Advantage
Bafana Bafana has an impressive record in recent home qualifiers, winning all seven of their World Cup qualifying matches since their loss to Senegal in 2017.
That match, held at Peter Mokaba Stadium, was a replay mandated by FIFA after the Ghanaian referee, Joseph Lamptey, was found guilty of match-fixing during the original game a year prior.
