How Bafana failed to make 2006 World Cup in Germany and created a curse…

Bafana Bafana has not qualified for a FIFA World Cup since 2002 and only participated in the 2010 edition as the host.

After winning the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa became a powerhouse of African football. Every Afcon tournament they played in from 1996 until 2002, they were always among the favorites to win. With players like Lucas Radebe, Benni McCarthy, and Quinton Fortune, Bafana were a top team to beat until the mid-2000s.

Bafana qualified for the 1998 World Cup in France but bowed out in the group stages after two draws and a defeat. After four years, the team returned to the 2002 World Cup, retaining some of their key players from the 1996 Afcon and 1998 World Cup.

A loss to Spain saw Jomo Sono’s side bow out of the tournament by goal difference, but the belief was that Bafana was ready to compete with the big teams. With South Africa given the right to host the 2010 World Cup, Bafana needed to qualify for the 2006 edition to showcase their readiness.

In the 2006 WC qualifiers, 30 teams were divided into five groups of six teams each. Teams in each group would play against each other on a home and away basis. Bafana found themselves alongside Ghana and DR Congo. A 2-1 win against Cape Verde at home raised alarm bells, but Mbulelo Mabizela’s brace was celebrated.

Bafana Bafana lost six points to Ghana in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers

Cracks started to show when Bafana lost 3-0 away to Ghana, leaving the group wide open. Wins against Burkina Faso and Uganda kept Stuart Baxter’s men on top until their second meeting with the Black Stars. At a packed FNB Stadium, Bafana were the favourites to beat Ghana and solidify their World Cup spot, but a Michael Essien masterclass crushed South Africa’s momentum.

Ghana needed a win desperately and played a South African team without McCarthy, Zuma, Fortune, and Buckley. The Black Stars, on the other hand, brought Suley Muntairu, Steven Appiah, and Essien.

With two matches remaining, Bafana still had a good chance to qualify for the World Cup in Germany. They needed to beat Burkina Faso and DR Congo but lost 3-1 to the West Africans before getting held at home by Congo. A disastrous campaign was the beginning of South Africa’s downfall and since then, the nation has failed to qualify for a FIFA World Cup in three attempts. With 30 points to play for, Bafana only collected half.

Black Stars generation of stars embarrassed Bafana at home

Baxter’s team gave away six points to Ghana and then four points to the DRC. That alone was the reason Bafana Bafana failed to show up for the 2006 World Cup which was vital for South Africa.

Fast forward to 2024, Bafana finds themselves in a similar spot. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup up for grabs, Hugo Broos’men have only accumulated seven points from a possible 12. With 18 to play for, Bafana knows they need to avoid defeats and unnecessary draws to earn a ticket to USA and Mexico.