Come the day, come the hour, come on Bafana Bafana
Bafana Bafana’s Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign hinges on winning their final two matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, while hoping to surpass Benin’s goal difference to secure automatic qualification as group winners. Picture: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix
Image: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix
The equation is simple for Bafana Bafana as their Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign comes to an end: win both matches and then start praying.
South Africa are second in Caf qualifier group C, tied with top-placed Benin on 14 points. South Africa have a goal difference of three, while Benin is one better.
Of course, Bafana should have 17 points and a goal difference of eight had they not been penalised for fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena in their qualifier against Lesotho in March.
That’s in the past though, and lying ahead are their final two qualifiers against Zimbabwe on Friday at Moses Mabhida Stadium, before closing out against Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday.
South Africa’s Path to World Cup Qualification: Favourable Fixtures and Benin’s Challenging Road Matches
Obviously, if South Africa win both matches and manage to improve their goal difference more than Benin, Bafana will punch the automatic qualifying ticket to next year’s World Cup as group winners.
Bafana though, have the more favourable fixtures to finish their campaign. Benin have the tricky task of playing their last two matches on the road.
First up for Benin on Friday is a trip to Amahoro Stadium to take on hosts Rwanda. It will then be onto Godswill Akpabio Stadium to take on the mighty Nigeria. With Nigeria currently in third place, they will be chasing that second spot, or better should Bafana and Benin drop points.
Finishing second in the group will mean the side has the chance of finishing as one of the four best runners-up who will then play in the Fifa Play-Off Tournament for the one remaining African spot at the showpiece event.
Over to you, Hugo Broos and Bafana Bafana.