Bafana Bafana Rankings for 2021 Revealed, Supporters Share Mixed Opinions

• South Africa started 2021 in 68th place in the world in football, and according to FIFA, was in the same place at year's end
• Bafana Bafana failed to qualify for the 2021 African Cup of Nations as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup
• Despite the disappointment, the team had a good win percentage rate, snagging a COSAFA Cup title along the way

South Africa's men's national team has had to make do with their global position remaining unchanged.

Bafana Bafana began 2021 ranked number 68 on the planet, and even though they had a rollercoaster of a year, ended in the same position. This was confirmed on FIFA's official world rankings released on New Year's Day.

According to FIFA's website, Bafana also finished the year ranked the number 13 team on the continent on the CAF rankings. This came after a wasteful year in which the team failed at the final hurdle to qualify for the 2021 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

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The team did win the COSAFA Cup held in Gqeberha, losing only one match all year for an impressive win rate of 76% from 13 played (10 wins and two draws).

Belgium ended the year ranked number one in the world, while Senegal finished ahead of the pack on the continent.

Supporters had their say on social media.

Makhosandile Mbulawa said:

"A team that was so great in the 90's... we were once ranked 16th back then. What happened? Did the players become weak?"

Jonas Mpofu said:

"Belgium are number 1 but never won nothing... Rankings are but just rankings..."

Petrus Petrus joked:

"Even if it was ranking number 100, who cares! Bafana Bafana must change their name to Pafana Pafana."

Ibola Lethu said:

"Deserved. Hugo Broos is gonna drag them a lot back with his inexperienced squad. Take the likes of Zwane, Lakay, Dolly to give the experience that is needed with these boys."

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Siya Gezane said:

"FIFA rankings are a fuss... No one even knows what criteria is used there. I mean, what has Belgium actually achieved to stay at no.1 for so long? Absolutely nothing."

New Year's Day: How local sports personalities celebrated the start of 2022

Several of Mzansi's favourite sports personalities showed how they welcomed the New Year on social media.

From the deserts of Namibia and the tropics of Indonesia, to the wilds of Botswana and beaches of South Africa, excitement for 2022 was spread out across the globe

They showed that family comes first when it comes to ushering in a new year, opting to spend time with their loved ones at home or away.