Pitso Mosimane Backs Bafana Bafana to Reach 2026 World Cup, Lauds Hugo Broos’ Impact

• The South African national football team, led by Hugo Broos, is enjoying one of their best periods from the last few years
• Bafana Bafana reached the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and narrowly lost on penalties against Nigeria
• Pitso Mosimane is impressed with the progress the team has made and is confident they can reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup

South Africa have been superb since Hugo Broos' appointment as coach in 2021.

The Belgian took Bafana Bafana to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final, where they finished third.

Their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign has started well, and Pitso Mosimane believes they can reach their first World Cup since 2010.

Bafana Bafana have played in three World Cup tournaments in 1998, 2002, and 2010, which they hosted. The 1996 champions have reached the showpiece twice, though.

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Therefore, Broos is looking to take the team to their first tournament through qualification in over two decades.

After four games, they have seven points, same as Rwanda and Benin in Group C. Finishing top will see them automatically qualify.

Mosimane on South Africa World Cup chances

Mosimane coached the South African national football team between 2010 and 2012 and was part of the coaching staff at the 2010 FIFA World Cup under Brazilian World Cup winner Carlos Alberto Parreira.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician applauded the work Broos has done with the team, per KickOff.

"I think at this point in time, we have a good team, we have a good coach. Yes, people were doubting whether he was the right one or not. But he has proven that he can take the team to the semi-finals of the [AFCON]. So it shows that we have a good team. But the good team is not only the coach; it's the players."

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He is confident his country can qualify for the Mundial.

"I think we have an opportunity to go to the World Cup, and it's good. Because now this World Cup is enlarged. Before, it was five teams [from Africa], now it's nine, plus one will play in the playoffs. So, I think we have a chance. We have been to the semifinals of AFCON...so we will make it."

Broos' team have six matches left in their qualifying campaign, and things are looking up so far.

Broos praises Bafana Bafana

Sports Brief also reported on Broos heaping praise on South Africa following a hard-fought draw against Nigeria away from home.

The Belgian tactician highlighted the difficulties in their travel to Nigeria and was proud that it didn't affect their performance.