Bafana Bafana Rise in FIFA Rankings After Impressive Wins

Bafana Bafana have been rewarded for their strong performances during the recent FIFA international break, with two convincing victories that have boosted their global standing. Under the guidance of head coach Hugo Broos, South Africa secured a 2-0 win away in Uganda before triumphing 3-0 against South Sudan in Cape Town, leaving the team top of their group in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Bafana Bafana’s Impressive Run

The victories against Uganda and South Sudan saw Bafana finish Group K with 14 points out of a possible 18, an outstanding achievement that demonstrates their growth under Broos’ leadership. The only points dropped came in two draws, one against Uganda and the other against Congo-Brazzaville, but these results didn’t prevent Bafana from securing qualification with two games to spare.

In Cape Town, a boisterous crowd witnessed Bafana’s dominant 3-0 victory over South Sudan, further solidifying the team’s impressive form.

Improved FIFA Ranking

As a result of their successful performances, Bafana Bafana have moved up in the global FIFA rankings. The team climbed three places, from 60th to 57th, marking their best ranking since February 2015. On the African continent, they also made significant strides, moving to 10th place, surpassing DR Congo.

This marks a significant improvement since the arrival of Hugo Broos in 2021. When Broos took over from Molefi Ntseki, the team was in disarray and ranked 75th in the world. Since then, Bafana have shown marked improvement, culminating in their rise to 10th in Africa, a position they also held after their strong third-place finish in the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

The Road Ahead

With Tunisia, Mali, Cameroon, and Cote d’Ivoire currently ahead of Bafana on the African rankings, a top-five spot remains a challenging goal. However, with the team on the rise and a solid foundation under Broos, Bafana Bafana are well-positioned to push for greater success in the coming years.

Bafana’s next challenge will be in March 2025 when they resume their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Lesotho and Benin.

Bafana’s Best Ever FIFA Ranking

Despite this impressive rise, Bafana’s best-ever FIFA ranking remains 16th in the world, achieved in August 1996 after winning the Africa Cup of Nations. The national team will be eager to build on their current form and potentially challenge for a spot among the world’s top football nations once again.

With qualification for the 2026 World Cup already in their sights, Bafana Bafana are on track for a bright future under the leadership of Hugo Broos.