Bafana Bafana vice-captain and Mamelodi Sundowns star Themba Zwane has praised his teammates after South Africa qualified outright for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2002.
Hugo Broos’ men beat Rwanda 3-0 at Mbombela Stadium to top Group C ahead of Nigeria and Benin. Goals from Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, and Evidence Makgopa secured the win despite injuries, suspensions, and a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player earlier in the campaign.
Zwane, who missed the qualifiers through injury, said it was “pure happiness” seeing the nation united. “The boys did their job very well… we’ll keep making South Africans proud,” he told SuperSport TV.
South Africa now turn their attention to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco before preparing for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.