Durban City head coach Gavin Hunt has lauded Bafana Bafana for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup dominated by domestic-based players but believes they could improve if players earned moves abroad.
South Africa secured a 3-0 win over Rwanda with a full starting line-up featuring only players based in the domestic league, which sparked incredible adulation and applause for the squad and head coach Hugo Broos.
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Hunt admits it may be due to the lack of players abroad but says it bodes well for the future – securing major tournament qualification with local-based talent.
“Unbelievable [11 PSL players in the line-up], but I mean we don’t have too many players outside of our borders, do we? I still think we can be stronger if we export a few more players, and get others to play,” Hunt said.
“Your Shandre Campbell’s they will be the next batch – it certainly can improve our football and our spot in world football I think it can get us more scouts [from abroad] back here more, as they did in the 90s, looking for players [to sign].”
Hunt went on to state the perception of South African football will be improved too – with the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and Morocco and 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
“It’s important that South Africa does well, you get judged as players by your national team, coaches too – so if the national team doesn’t do well your football [is perceived] not good,” he said.
“So, we need to be in these tournaments, qualify for the AFCON, the World Cup – it’s easier because of the numbers, so we should be in these tournaments regularly and long may it to continue.”
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