Former Orlando Pirates captain Edward Motale believes Bafana Bafana have what it takes to advance to the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite ongoing debate over coach Hugo Broos’ final squad selection.
The South African football legend has thrown his support behind Broos, who has faced criticism since unveiling his final 26-man squad for the tournament.
The Belgian coach attracted backlash after revealing his squad during a live television broadcast, with several players reportedly discovering they had been dropped while watching the announcement. Goalkeeper Brandon Petersen and defender Thapelo Morena were among the notable omissions, leading some former players to label the process insensitive.
Broos’ choice of goalkeepers also sparked discussion, with Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss and Sipho Chaine earning selection ahead of Kaizer Chiefs shot-stopper Brandon Petersen.
Motale, however, insists that criticism of the coach’s decisions is inevitable.
“It is impossible for any coach to please everyone when selecting a World Cup squad. Hugo Broos has made his choices and those decisions must be respected,” Motale told Africa Daily.
The former Buccaneers skipper said the national team possesses enough quality to compete strongly on the world stage.
“When you look at the squad, it is made up largely of players from the two best-performing clubs in the country, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. For that reason, I believe Bafana Bafana can progress beyond the group phase,” he said.
Motale also pointed to Mamelodi Sundowns’ recent continental success as a source of inspiration for the national side.
“The players can draw confidence from Sundowns’ achievement in the CAF Champions League. Success at that level should motivate them as they prepare for the World Cup,” he said.
Bafana Bafana recently continued their preparations with a 1-1 draw against Jamaica in an international friendly match.
South Africa’s World Cup journey begins against tournament hosts Mexico on June 11, a date that carries special significance as it coincides with the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, when Bafana also faced Mexico and secured a 1-1 draw.
Motale believes South Africa’s defensive strength could play a crucial role in determining how far the team progresses.
“Bafana Bafana are defensively strong. The key will be converting their opportunities in front of goal while maintaining their organisation at the back. If they can do that consistently, they have every chance of enjoying a successful tournament,” he said.
South Africa has been placed in Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea and the Czech Republic.
As anticipation builds ahead of the tournament, Motale remains convinced that Bafana Bafana have the quality and determination required to secure a place in the last 16.