Cardoso on Bafana Chances in the WC

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has weighed in on Bafana Bafana’s prospects for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

The tournament, scheduled for June and July, will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. 

South Africa are set to open their campaign against Mexico – a repeat of their 2010 World Cup opener on home soil. 

Cardoso believes that if Sundowns can make a strong impression at the FIFA Club World Cup, it signals that Bafana Bafana can also be able to do the same. 

However, he stressed that detailed preparation will be crucial for Bafana to compete effectively.

“Look, when we prepared for the FIFA Club World Cup with Sundowns, everybody was like what we were capable of doing over there,” said Cardoso.

“And I think we showed that South Africa has the quality to be represented in such high-level competitions and perform.

“We stayed a little bit closer, but not enough. You saw that in the match with Fluminense FC; we could have targeted qualification for the following round. The way the team settled down and waited for us and showed respect to us, it shows that we were there, and the way the coach spoke with me, it’s clear that they [respected us].

“So, I said the same about South Africa. If we were able to do it and show a good level, those are the details if you’re going to go through the group stage, the lack of the calendar. 

“Obviously, the first match can be important; like us, when we played at the Club World Cup, we won against Ulsan HD FC. It gave us the confidence to play the following ones without the big pressure.

“I think it’s important that South Africans support the team without putting pressure on the boys because the group is not an easy group, but it is also not an impossible one. 

“It would be beautiful to see South Africa represented over there. It’s also important that the team shows quality football so that everyone stays happy because South Africans like quality football, and the coach [Hugo Broos] will take care of that for sure.

“From my part, he has all the support that he may need, he knows that we support him fully because we support South Africa.”