BLOEMFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 09: South Africa players celebrate during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match between South Africa and Nigeria at Toyota Stadium on September 09, 2025 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (Photo by Charlé Lombard/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
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When the final whistle blew in Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, the stadium erupted. For many South African football supporters, Mbombela is a place filled with bittersweet memories, notably in 2012, when Bafana Bafana celebrated what they thought was a qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations, only to later discover it wasn’t. This time, however, the celebrations were fully justified. South Africa finished at the top of Group C, after beating Rwanda 3–0, securing their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and ending a 24-year absence from football’s grandest stage. For Hugo Broos, the Belgian coach who has spent the past four years shaping Bafana Bafana, it was the culmination of an emotional, relentless campaign.
“This is really a fantastic evening for everyone,” Broos said in the post-match press conference. “Not only for the coach, I’m part of it, but this is the team that worked for the last three years to have all those performances and nice moments.”
Broos’ words reflected not just personal pride, but the collective effort of a staff, a squad, and a nation. From his assistants to the medical team, the kit managers, and the security staff, every layer of the program contributed to South Africa’s transformation. “We are a bunch of people who have only one goal: doing good performances and winning things,” Broos said.
A Campaign Against the Odds
The road to qualification wasn’t always smooth. Broos has been candid about how, at times, the campaign felt like the world was against them.
“At a certain moment, a month ago, it was one against everybody. South Africa against all our opponents in our group,” he recalled.
For much of the campaign, critics questioned his selections, fans doubted the squad’s capacity, and rival teams seemed increasingly motivated to beat Bafana Bafana. This, along with media scrutiny, historical baggage, and the long shadow of previous failures, created a palpable sense of pressure that Broos described. Yet, it was precisely in this crucible that the team’s character was forged.
This sense of opposition, of “everyone vs South Africa,” became a rallying point. Players developed a collective resilience, learning to push past external doubt and focus on what they could control: their work ethic, their unity, and their belief in themselves.
Building a Team with a Purpose
Broos’s approach to South Africa has always been methodical and rooted in a clear philosophy. He explained that in his tenure, he has focused on selecting players not solely for their technical ability, but for quality, mentality, and adaptability.
“For me, it’s important to have a player with quality first, the right mentality second, and who can do what I ask him. That’s how you build a team,” he explained.
This approach meant tough decisions, particularly when it came to integrating young or inexperienced players. Broos highlighted the example of Mduduzi Shabalala, who made his debut late in the Rwanda game.
“Even if it’s only three or five minutes, they taste the atmosphere and the group spirit. I shouldn’t have given them a chance if I didn’t see in the training how they behaved themselves,” he said.
This philosophy extends beyond individual players to the squad as a whole. Broos has spent three years cultivating trust, discipline, and self-belief, emphasising that victories are the product of a collective mindset, not individual heroics.
“When you work with a group for three years, you know how they will react when there is success. You know how they will react when there is no success. And you know the group, the quality of the group,” Broos said.
Inside the Squad of Belief and Resilience
ANNABA, ALGERIA – MARCH 21: Stuart Ricardo Goss of South Africa during the FIFA Series 2024 Algeria match between Andorra and South Africa at Stade 19 Mai 1956 on March 21, 2024 in Annaba, Algeria. (Photo by Richard Pelham – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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While Hugo Broos has been the architect of South Africa’s resurgence, the campaign’s soul comes from the players themselves. Substitute goalkeeper Ricardo Goss captured the emotions running through the squad after qualification, a mix of disbelief, joy, and vindication.
“I have no words, unbelievable,” Goss shared. “I don’t want to be negative, but so many people were doubting us, you know,” Goss said.
Goss highlighted the transformation under the current technical team and a new generation of players. Despite setbacks, like the difficult match against Zimbabwe, the team’s spirit never wavered.
“We’ve been fantastic. We’ve been playing very well. We’ve been unfortunate, especially against Zimbabwe. And tonight, to get three goals like that… unbelievable. And to make it to the World Cup, it’s a dream come true for every South African,” he said.
Goss also credited the leadership of Ronwen Williams, who has been a guide and an inspiration from within the team.
“He shows his leadership even on the field of play. And yeah, what more can you ask for?”
Ultimately, Goss summed up the campaign with one word: magic.
“Magic,” he said. “What an incredible group. Just look at the Ivory Coast—we placed third, and nobody thought we could achieve that. We also have a surprise coming for you in December, so keep your eyes glued to the TV.”
These reflections highlight a central theme of the campaign: a team that has grown together, believed in themselves despite scepticism, and embraced the challenge of being underdogs in a competitive environment. Players like Goss exemplify the hunger, resilience, and collective spirit that Broos has spent years nurturing. This is the essence of why South Africa is returning to the World Cup with both confidence and pride.
Restoring National Pride
For Broos, the World Cup qualification is not only a professional milestone but a restoration of national pride. Once dismissed and ridiculed, Bafana Bafana now commands respect across Africa and beyond.
“Everybody laughed at Bafana Bafana. We were a joke, and now we are here. We are on a high level, and everybody respects us,” Broos said.
Central to this revival is the relationship between the team and the South African fans. Broos views the players as artists, responsible not only for winning but for offering a spectacle of commitment, energy, and heart.
“People come to see the artists because they like them. You have to offer something. That’s what we’re doing now: giving people a reason to come,” he said.
This renewed connection has seen stadiums fill, chants resound, and belief return. Broos acknowledges that the crowd has been integral, not passive: the fans’ support pushes the team to perform at its best, creating a symbiotic energy on match days.
The Leadership of Hugo Broos
ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST – FEBRUARY 10: South Africa Coach Hugo Broos is thrown in the air by his players after winning the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 3rd place match between South Africa and DR Congo at Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny on February 10, 2024 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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Broos’ leadership style is a balance of discipline, mentorship, and emotional intelligence. He is meticulous in evaluating players’ attitudes, hunger, and adaptability. He refuses to reward entitlement or reputation, insisting that everyone earn their place on merit.
“There are no presents. There are no gifts. You have to earn them,” he said.
He also values collective responsibility, creating a culture where players hold each other accountable. Mistakes are met with correction rather than punishment, fostering an environment of trust and continuous improvement.
“Everyone works for everyone. Someone made a mistake, and the other tries to correct it. That’s the right mentality,” he explained.
Broos’ philosophy has transformed South Africa into a mentally resilient squad, capable of withstanding both internal and external pressures.
AFCON and 2026
TOPSHOT – South Africa’s midfielder #4 Teboho Mokoena (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 round of 16 football match between Morocco and South Africa at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro on January 30, 2024. (Photo by SIA KAMBOU / AFP) (Photo by SIA KAMBOU/AFP via Getty Images)
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Qualification is just one step. Broos is already focused on upcoming challenges, including the Africa Cup of Nations in December and then the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He anticipates stronger opponents, heightened expectations, and intensified scrutiny.
“Everybody knows South Africa now. From the first game, opponents will be 150% motivated to beat us. We have to be ready for that,” he said.
For Broos personally, the World Cup will mark the end of his coaching career. After decades in the sport, including representing Belgium as a player, he plans to step back and spend time with his family.
“This is sentimental. I think this is the right moment, after the World Cup, I will stop my career and go to my family,” he said.
Yet, even as he contemplates retirement, his focus remains squarely on preparing the team for success, ensuring that South Africa can compete not just for qualification, but for continental and global respect.
A Legacy of Belief and Resilience
South Africa’s midfielder #23 Mohau Nkota celebrates after kicking a ball that lead to Nigeria’s own goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Africa qualifiers group C match between South Africa and Nigeria at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on September 9, 2025. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP) (Photo by PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images)
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In qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South Africa has done more than secure a tournament berth. Under Broos, Bafana Bafana has reclaimed a sense of identity, pride, and belief that had been eroded over decades.
“We are not Messi, we are not Ronaldo,” Broos said. “But if you work very hard, everyone works for everyone, that’s the right mentality. And this is what we have now in this team.”
From a campaign where it often felt like the world was against them, South Africa has emerged stronger, disciplined, and united. They have shown that belief, structure, and resilience can transform perceived underdogs into respected contenders.
For South Africa, qualification is not just a milestone; it is a statement of resurgence, a promise that the nation can compete at the highest level once again.
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