South African football fans woke up to a familiar frustration this week as Bafana Bafana slipped out of Africa’s top 10 in the latest FIFA rankings. It’s a drop that might seem small on paper, but its timing couldn’t be worse with the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw around the corner.
Fans were less than impressed and were quick to question the credibility of the ranking. Here’s how Bafana dropped in the rankings:
A Costly Slip At The Worst Time
Bafana now sit 11th among CAF nations and 61st overall after falling two places from their previous global ranking. The decline may not come as a surprise to many supporters, given the lingering fallout from SAFA’s administrative blunder involving Teboho Mokoena’s suspension.
That error, which led to FIFA deducting three crucial qualification points, has haunted Bafana for months and now appears to be influencing their global standing. The result has angered many fans online, with several expressing frustration that off-field missteps continue to overshadow on-field progress.
A Quiet International Window Didn’t Help
Another factor behind the slide is South Africa’s limited activity during the recent international window. Hugo Broos’ side only played one match, although it was a convincing 3-1 win over Zambia. In the competitive world of rankings, however, fewer fixtures often translate into missed opportunities to climb.
Many supporters contrasted South Africa’s single outing with the busy schedules of other African teams, arguing that a proactive fixture list could have stabilised Bafana’s ranking.
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DR Congo Surges And Shakes Up The Top 10
The biggest story in Africa’s rankings was DR Congo’s rise. They climbed from outside the continent’s top 10 into eighth place after a strong run of performances, pushing Bafana down in the process. Their jump sparked pride across Congolese social media, with fans celebrating a long-awaited return to the top tier.
The rest of Africa’s top 10 also saw shifts worth noting. Morocco continues to lead the continent, rising to 11th globally. Senegal follows closely, ranked 19th in the world, while Egypt hold Africa’s third spot despite dropping two places to 34th overall.
Algeria and Nigeria complete the top five, with the Super Eagles notably climbing three spots. Tunisia and Ivory Coast stayed competitive in the 40s, while Mali remain steady at 54th.
What This Means For Bafana Going Forward
Falling out of the top 10 puts Bafana in a more challenging position ahead of the 2026 World Cup draw. Rankings influence seeding, and lower placement often means tougher qualification paths. For supporters, the concern is less about the number next to South Africa’s name and more about how the drop reflects the team’s momentum.
Yet despite the frustration, there’s still an underlying sense of optimism. Broos’ men have shown flashes of real quality, and with the World Cup qualifiers resuming soon, the chance to climb back is wide open.
What’s clear is that South Africa cannot afford any more administrative mistakes or quiet international windows. For Bafana to re-enter Africa’s elite, every match and every decision will matter.
Source: iDiski Times and FIFA
Image Source: Unplayable_ZA on X
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