Bafana Bafana legend Doctor Khumalo has thrown his weight behind belief that it’s the team’s time to qualify for the knockout phase at the FIFA World Cup.
The 2026 edition co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico will be South Africa’s fourth appearance at the World Cup after France 1998, Korea/Japan 2002 and the 2010 event which they hosted.
In all their appearances, they have never gotten out of the group, this is a feat that’s been achieved by the senior women’s team and the national U17 boys recently.
Khumalo has played at the 1998 World Cup, and having observed other tournaments including the Africa Cup of Nations, he knows healthy mental state is important.
Bafana are in Group A with Mexico, Republic of Korea and Czech Republic at this year’s tournament.
The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder also added that he has confidence in the current players and they should draw lessons from the previous World Cup squads to be able to break the duck.
“To this current team, obviously, we don’t want to see a team that will go to this World Cup not 100% mentally,” said Khumalo on the DNA Podcast.
“Because we saw in 98 we were not great mentally and just now at AFCON that’s the first thing. The other point that I can mention is that South African players, it’s our DNA. Yes, we understand we’re playing against Europeans or people that play for bigger teams, but when we get to the field we become monsters.
“Let me say, we should learn from the three past World Cups. We’re so much closer to getting to the knockout stages, and with this current crop, if we get our acts together and we go out there and compete, clearly, that means we can qualify for the knock stage. I’m not disrespecting the three teams, all of them will be like difficult games.
“We’re playing the opener of the World Cup, which is going to be very much difficult because of the 12th player. Maybe we’ve got players that have experienced that kind of an environment at Champions League level but I don’t want to lose hope, because since day one, while I was still playing, I was never becoming a loser.
“I’ve seen the guys, I’ve seen the ups and downs, but I strongly believe this is our chance. This is our time for us to go to the group stages. I’m not putting pressure, but that’s what I believe.”
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