Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams says the team aims to “rewrite history” when they face Rwanda in a must-win 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The venue brings mixed memories for South African fans — it was there in 2012 that Bafana mistakenly celebrated AFCON qualification before learning they hadn’t made it.
Now, Williams hopes for redemption as South Africa must beat Rwanda to stay in contention, while also relying on Nigeria to defeat Benin. If Nigeria and Benin draw, Bafana must win by at least two goals to progress.
Williams revealed the players originally wanted to play in Gqeberha or Cape Town but accepted the Mbombela assignment as a chance to “right our wrongs.”
“Maybe it’s time to rewrite the script,” he said. “I believe in fairy tales — hopefully, the football gods are on our side, and tomorrow we’ll all be dancing again.”