{"id":27406,"date":"2025-09-05T12:08:06","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T10:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=27406"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:54:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:54:18","slug":"five-bafana-bafana-players-who-could-seal-world-cup-dream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/five-bafana-bafana-players-who-could-seal-world-cup-dream\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Bafana Bafana players who could seal World Cup dream"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>For more than two decades, South African football fans have waited for a moment like this. Since their 2002 appearance, Bafana Bafana have failed to qualify for the Fifa World Cup on competitive grounds, with their 2010 entry secured only as hosts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, with Hugo Broos at the helm, the national side sits top of Group C, five points clear. Back-to-back matches against Lesotho and Nigeria could secure a long-awaited return to football\u2019s biggest stage. Friday\u2019s clash in Bloemfontein kicks off the final push.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-tiktok wp-block-embed-tiktok\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@bafanabafana\/video\/7543582908594785592\" data-video-id=\"7543582908594785592\" data-embed-from=\"oembed\" style=\"max-width:605px; min-width:325px;\"> <section> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@bafanabafana\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@bafanabafana?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">@bafanabafana<\/a> <p>The final Bafana Bafana squad to take on Lesotho on Friday the 5th &#038; Nigeria on Tuesday the 9th in their FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. <a title=\"bafanabafana\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/bafanabafana?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">#BafanaBafana<\/a> @Sabc_Sport<\/p> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\u266c original sound - Bafana Bafana\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/original-sound-7543582896569944838?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">\u266c original sound &#8211; Bafana Bafana<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-mbekezeli-mbokazi-a-teenager-with-responsibility\">1. Mbekezeli Mbokazi: a teenager with responsibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Orlando Pirates\u2019 19-year-old defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi is one of the most talked-about young talents in the squad. Recently tested in a friendly against Mozambique, he showed maturity beyond his years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With senior defenders, including captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, sidelined through injury, Mbokazi may be called upon again. This is a huge step for the teenager, but one he appears ready to take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757065534-1024x683.png\" alt=\"Gauteng News Image\" class=\"wp-image-27410\" style=\"width:656px;height:auto\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image: <em>Backpagepix<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3157045394\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-lyle-foster-the-striker-with-pedigree\">2. Lyle Foster: the striker with pedigree<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lyle Foster\u2019s return to Premier League action with Burnley has reignited hopes for South African football. Despite injury setbacks last season, the forward remains an experienced option at just 25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Against disciplined opponents, Foster\u2019s ability to finish half-chances and hold up play will be crucial. His performances at club level underline why he remains Bafana\u2019s most reliable attacking outlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757066024.png\" alt=\"Gauteng News Image\" class=\"wp-image-27424\" style=\"width:663px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757066024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757066024-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757066024-768x425.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-relebohile-mofokeng-the-creative-spark\">3. Relebohile Mofokeng: the creative spark<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Pirates midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng has built a reputation as a player for the big stage. He netted in the last victory over Lesotho and has proven capable of changing a game\u2019s momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although not consistently at his sharpest, Mofokeng\u2019s vision and ability to unlock defences make him one of Broos\u2019 trusted men for tight encounters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757065627.png\" alt=\"Gauteng News Image\" class=\"wp-image-27411\" style=\"width:667px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757065627.png 780w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757065627-300x181.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757065627-768x463.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image: Zamani Makautsi\/Zakes Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-733200604\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-mohau-nkota-form-from-abroad\">4. Mohau Nkota: form from abroad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mohau Nkota\u2019s move to Saudi Arabia\u2019s Al Ettifaq has lifted his career to new heights. The winger has already opened his scoring account for his new club and looks full of confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At 22, he represents the new wave of South African talent. If he carries his club form into national duty, Nkota could cement his place as a regular starter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757065749-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Gauteng News Image\" class=\"wp-image-27415\" style=\"width:674px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757065749-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757065749-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757065749-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757065749-150x84.png 150w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757065749-450x253.png 450w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757065749.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image: Backpage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-kamogelo-sebelebele-midfield-engine\">5. Kamogelo Sebelebele: midfield engine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of Orlando Pirates\u2019 rising talents, Kamogelo Sebelebele, has impressed with his composure, vision, and passing range. At 23, he is quickly developing into a central figure capable of controlling the tempo of play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sebelebele links defence and attack with maturity beyond his years. If he finds his rhythm in these qualifiers, Bafana will have the platform to dominate possession and create clear chances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"581\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757066563-1024x581.png\" alt=\"Gauteng News Image\" class=\"wp-image-27439\" style=\"width:613px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757066563-1024x581.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757066563-300x170.png 300w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757066563-768x436.png 768w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757066563-150x85.png 150w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757066563-450x255.png 450w, https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gauteng-image-1757066563.png 1189w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image: <strong>TS Galaxy<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>With two fixtures left, Bafana Bafana\u2019s destiny is in their own hands. Wins over Lesotho and Nigeria would likely confirm their return to the World Cup stage after a 22-year wait. For fans across the country, belief is building that this could be the generation to deliver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Do you think Broos\u2019 side will complete the job and qualify for the 2026 World Cup? Let us know your thoughts.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Check also: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/bafana-bafana-world-cup-dream-in-jeopardy-over-mokoena-suspension\/\">Bafana Bafana World Cup Dream in Jeopardy Over Mokoena Suspension<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bafana Bafana chase 2026 World Cup qualification. Here are five key players who could shape South Africa\u2019s decisive fixtures in Group C.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":27441,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Bafana Bafana chase 2026 World Cup qualification. Here are five key players who could shape South Africa\u2019s decisive fixtures in Group C.","footnotes":""},"categories":[59,56,64],"tags":[286,11097,11121],"class_list":{"0":"post-27406","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-soccer","8":"category-sports","9":"category-sports-news","10":"tag-bafana-bafana","11":"tag-fifa-world-cup","12":"tag-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27406","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27406"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27406\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27447,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27406\/revisions\/27447"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}