South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, has taken a small but notable step up in the latest FIFA rankings following their recent World Cup qualifier matches.
Under Hugo Broos’ leadership, the team now sits 55th in the world and ninth in Africa, reflecting steady progress on the international stage.
Recent Performances That Mattered
Bafana’s rise comes after a strong 3-0 victory over Lesotho and a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Nigeria earlier this month.
While these results show promise, they also highlight the challenges of climbing the FIFA rankings quickly.
Since their appearance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), South Africa has been slowly but steadily moving up the table.
Why the Rankings Didn’t Jump More
Fans might wonder why Bafana didn’t leap five or six places after these matches. The answer lies in how FIFA calculates rankings.
Wins against lower-ranked teams like Lesotho and Benin carry limited weight.
Even competitive victories aren’t enough to boost the team significantly.
At the last AFCON, South Africa finished third but only recorded full 90-minute wins against Tunisia and Namibia.
Wins over DR Congo and Cape Verde came via penalties, which FIFA counts as draws, limiting the impact on rankings.
The Road Ahead for Bafana Bafana
Looking forward, October presents a crucial opportunity for South Africa.
The team faces Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their final World Cup qualifiers.
Winning both matches could propel Bafana into the top 50 for the first time in over ten years.
Anything less, however, might see them maintain their current ranking or even drop slightly, given the lower ranking of their opponents.
Opportunities to Boost Rankings in Friendlies
Bafana Bafana can also gain ground by performing well in upcoming friendly matches against stronger teams.
Facing higher-ranked opponents like Senegal or Uruguay in November could allow South Africa to climb five to ten places if they manage a win or even a draw.
These matches provide the chance to showcase progress on the international stage and strengthen their FIFA standing.