After missing the last three editions of the global showpiece, the 1996 African champions sealed their long-awaited return with a commanding 3-0 victory over Rwanda in Mbombela, while Nigeria’s win against Benin Republic ensured Hugo Broos’ men topped Group C and claimed the automatic qualification spot.
This achievement marks South Africa’s first World Cup appearance since 2010, when they hosted the tournament but exited in the group stage despite memorable results against France and Mexico.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, Monyepao-Yele - herself a former Banyana Banyana player - described the qualification as a moment of national pride and a reward for perseverance through years of rebuilding.
Speaking to Flashscore, she emphasised that Bafana Bafana’s return to the world stage after 16 years represents not just sporting success but a turning point for the country’s football development and identity.
"It is quite significant for all of us because we haven't been there for some time," she told Flashscore.
"It took some years for us to get here. We have seen that the current Bafana Bafana team play with so much excitement and confidence and you know that the talent has always been there.
"Everyone pulls their weights to ensure that we have quality players in the national team. For us all, not only as a federation but as clubs, Premier Soccer League (PSL), regions, and the communities where these players come from. It's a huge milestone for all of us and we are excited about it."
South Africa’s World Cup qualification hopes suffered a major setback after the country was sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player - a violation of Article 19 of the Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the competition regulations.
FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee ruled that midfielder Teboho Mokoena should not have featured in the qualifier against Lesotho in March 2025. As punishment, the match was forfeited, awarding the Crocodiles a 3-0 victory, while SAFA was fined R200,000.
The decision saw Bafana Bafana drop to second place in Group C, level on points with leaders Benin Republic. In their penultimate match, Hugo Broos’ men missed a chance to reclaim top spot, settling for a goalless draw against 10-man Zimbabwe despite dominating much of the encounter.
Monyepao-Yele revealed that many had lost faith in the 1996 African champions, while explaining how the federation took deliberate steps to reinforce the squad and restore the players’ confidence after the setback.
"I think for us, we just had to focus on the job especially in the last two matches," she continued.
"Administratively, we have to give the team what they want to elevate their greatness. The game against Zimbabwe, no matter how they tried, they could not score.
"After the game, the team was a bit demotivated. With a leader like Hugo Broos who brings a lot to the team, he had to motivate the players.
"Also, I think a lot of people lost faith in the team but we just had to go all out and be there for the team and the players so that they can rise to the occasion."
From setback to surge
With South Africa set to make their fourth appearance at the World Cup, the achievement has sparked a powerful ripple effect across every level of football in the country.
According to the SAFA CEO, this qualification is far more than just a ticket to the global stage, it is a symbol of revival and inspiration for the nation’s footballing future.
The sight of Bafana Bafana reclaiming their place among the world’s best has reignited hope, ambition, and national pride as youngsters are now fueled by the dream of one day wearing the national jersey on the world stage.
"This qualification is huge because of the U20 team that participated in our U15 that participated at African Schools Championship. They are looking at Bafana Bafana. They feel the excitement of working harder and improving themselves in whatever national teams they are so that they can elevate to the next one to eventually end up in the national team," added Monyepao-Yele.
"The inspiration is there. They have got role models to look up to. Some of them play for Mamelodi Sundowns junior teams, Kaizer Chiefs, and Amazulu. They are trying to put themselves there. They can dream bigger now in terms of future and in terms of others this World Cup is what we have been missing."
Mxolisi Sibam, Chairperson of the South African Football Association’s (SAFA) finance committee, had revealed the organisation’s deepening financial struggles, noting that SAFA has shown little to no financial growth over the past two decades and now stands on the brink of bankruptcy.
According to Sibam, the association’s annual turnover sits at around R250 million, but a significant portion - over 25% - is spent on staff salaries, leaving limited resources to fund crucial programs such as national team development, grassroots football, and infrastructure maintenance.
Nonetheless, Monyepao-Yele believes that South Africa’s return to the world’s biggest football stage will deliver a significant financial boost.
"As Association, we have got to knock on different doors because that's what we depend on as the government doesn't fund our national team programs. It has really been difficult bringing people on board because of the economic situation," she stated.
"With World Cup qualification assured, people are now coming to us to see how they can be involved with the Association and get involved with the senior national team.
"We want those coming on board to give the national teams what is sufficient. The tough economic climate ensure that they didn't bring what is sufficient on the table. The more they come, the more money we can garner to support our different programs.
"It's not only about 90 minutes of football. There are other structures and programs to ensure that players and coaches develop with referees’ empowerment and administrators in different regions as well as clubs.
"We need to ensure that we support these different elements so that they can support our national teams at the end of the day. We need a lot of fundings. The fans have been supporting with attendance.
"Before we play in empty stadiums now the fans turned up. We don't need to beg them to support the teams. It's exciting to see that. The Association played its part in terms of fan engagement partnering with different organisations and fans engagement platforms so that they can get involved with the team. They feel they are part of the team."
South Africa will find out their World Cup opponents when the official draw takes place on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
