South Africa’s dream of returning to the FIFA World Championship after 16 years depends on the balance when you imagine the new Peter Mokaba Stadium in a qualification game in Lesotho today.
The missions are massive. Group C is a battlefield in which Benin narrowly leads the race with eight points, but Bafana Bafana and Rwanda are directly behind them with seven points each. A victory could bring Hugo Broos’ men directly to the top – especially if Rwanda and Nigeria cancel each other.
The mission is simple: win at all costs. South Africa has not played a world championship stage since the tournament was organized in 2010.
Bafana Bafana has been in top form, undefeated since January last year and still needed by her bronze medal finish at AFCON. But Broos had to optimize his squad. Aubrey Modiba is eliminated for personal reasons, while Patrick Maswanganyi looks like injuries. Vuyo Letlapa and Ndamulelo Mapangule Step in.
The big heading? Percy Tau is back. The Al-Nahly attacker, who last played for South Africa in June 2023, adds fire power to a fatal attack with Oswin Appollis, Elias Mokwana and reliefhile mopick fire.
Lesotho, on the other hand, sits fourth in the group with five points – from a victory, a loss and two draws. Head coach Leslie NotSi insists that his team will not be a push. Her key man, Motebang Sera, has not even played a competitive club game this season.
Score forecast
Bafana Bafana are the clear favorites. You have the better squad, the home advantage and the swing. Lesotho may be determined, but her attack is toothless. Expect that South Africa is being admitted.
South Africa 3-0 Lesotho
