Is Bafana Bafana going for World Cup glory?
Image: ACM
The rise of this new Hugo Broos Bafana Bafana team is catching the whole world by storm as suddenly we are on one of the best unbeaten streaks across the international board.
Yes, you heard it correctly, our boys currently have one of the best unbeaten streaks, with 18 games unbeaten, which is currently the longest unbeaten streak going in world football by a national team, with their last defeat coming in a penalty loss to Nigeria in last year's Africa Cup of Nations semi-final loss.
The boys are even making some bold moves on the world ranking stage after having snuck into the top-10 in Africa at 10th place in the CAF rankings, with Morocco currently the top-ranked side on the continent at number 14 in the FIFA world rankings.
They are also sitting pretty in top spot of their FIFA World Cup qualifying Group C.
However, let's address the bullet we are dodging and probably the elephant in the room. How did we get away with the Aaron Mokoena debacle? And how was that moment just swept under the carpet, because let's be fair, doesn't the moment open the door for many other teams.
Let's look at it, Mokoena had received his third yellow card, meaning an automatic one-match suspension had to be enforced by the South African Football team.
However, he was selected in the victory over Lesotho, but was only called up two days after the match had concluded.
This sparked anger from the Lesotho camp and suddenly, a struggling Nigerian outfit who suddenly wants to see the new powerhouses docked three points.
They would still remain top of the standings, but things would be very interesting in the game between the two nations come September later this year.
But who actually was responsible for this oversight within the Bafana camp, because surely you are putting everything on the line with such huge mistakes.
What is next? Will the kit guy forget to bring the jerseys at the 2026 World Cup in the USA? Will they forget coach Hugo Broos at Johannesburg Airport when the team flies out to compete in the AFCON?
The fans have been very patient and they want to relive that famous Simphiwe Tshabalala moment at Soccer City, Soweto Stadium, which sent a whole continent into complete craze as he rocketed that ball into the top corner of the Mexican's net.
That ironically was the last time we ever got to feature in a World Cup, and we are, 15 years later, still wanting to relive a moment we had never played for. If you remember, we hosted the World Cup and were not required to play any qualifiers, we tried though.
At one stage, we danced as we banged in what we believed was three goals to take us to the main event, but minutes later, discovered we actually needed two more and needed to hope that another team loses and the other to draw.
But those dance moves would easily have gotten any team to a World Cup; at least the dance teacher helping Bafana at the time deserved their paycheck.
Hugo Broos has made Bafana Bafana a powerhouse on the African continent.
Image: Facebook
Bafana Bafana has become strong contenders this time around, looking solid and could follow the 2002 team, who were the last team to qualify by playing for a spot in a World Cup.
Hugo Broos seems to have uncovered something within the Bafana camp and it seems as if though the players are playing to respond to his ways and methods.
Please don't let us down with little administrative errors, this team has done enough to the hearts of many South Africans around the world, who have followed the team and their efforts.
When a player is out, they are out and do not force the situation just because GoalMOUTH said so.
Backing Bafana and hope to see you at the next AFCON and World Cup, playing with the big boys, where SA belongs. Bafana to give the Boks a run for their money.
DISCLAIMER: These are the views of GoalMOUTH, if you don’t like them, great, I’d like to hear why.
So step into my goal and don’t mind to watch your mouth.
Email your thoughts to tauriq.hassen@acm.co.za