Durban City head coach Gavin Hunt has lauded Bafana Bafana for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup dominated by domestic-based players but believes they could improve if players earned moves abroad.
South Africa secured a 3-0 win over Rwanda with a full starting line-up featuring only players based in the domestic league, which sparked incredible adulation and applause for the squad and head coach Hugo Broos.
Hunt admits it may be due to the lack of players abroad but says it bodes well for the future – securing major tournament qualification with local-based talent.
“Unbelievable [11 PSL players in the line-up], but I mean we don’t have too many players outside of our borders, do we? I still think we can be stronger if we export a few more players, and get others to play,” Hunt said.
“Your Shandre Campbell’s they will be the next batch – it certainly can improve our football and our spot in world football I think it can get us more scouts [from abroad] back here more, as they did in the 90s, looking for players [to sign].”
Hunt went on to state the perception of South African football will be improved too – with the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations and Morocco and 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
“It’s important that South Africa does well, you get judged as players by your national team, coaches too – so if the national team doesn’t do well your football [is perceived] not good,” he said.
“So, we need to be in these tournaments, qualify for the AFCON, the World Cup – it’s easier because of the numbers, so we should be in these tournaments regularly and long may it to continue.”
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