Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has urged the South Africa U/17 side to give their all, emphasizing that playing in any FIFA World Cup is the ultimate achievement for a player.

Broos, who is aiming to lead Bafana Bafana to a 2026 FIFA World Cup final berth, added that qualifying for the Junior World Cup could be the start of a great career, paving the way to professional football.

Amajimbos will face Group B leaders Burkina Faso in their final group stage match at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Sunday at 18:00. Simultaneously, Egypt, currently at the bottom of the group with zero points after two matches, will play against Cameroon.

Amajimbos, coached by Vela Khumalo, are currently second in Group B with four points after two matches, having defeated Egypt 4-3 and then secured a goalless draw against a strong Cameroon side.

South Africa knows that a win will secure them the top spot in the group. A draw, combined with a draw between Cameroon and Egypt, would also be sufficient for them to reach the knockout stages, thus qualifying for the U/17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar this November.

“World Cup is the highest level,” said Broos, who played for Belgium in the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and claimed the bronze medal at last year’s AFCON for Bafana Bafana.  

“You play against the best teams in the world, those games, those teams will help you become a better player. 

“This can be the first step to realise your dream by becoming a professional player for a big team in South Africa and maybe later become a player for a big team in Europe.  

“So, it is important (you do well) and I wish all the very best for that.”    

South Africa last qualified for the U/17 FIFA World Cup in 2015 under coach Molefi Ntseki. They finished bottom of their group with one point, having lost their other two matches.

However, South Africa has lost their last three games against West African opponents in the CAF U/17 Africa Cup of Nations, losing to Mali in the 2015 final, and then to Nigeria in the group stages and Senegal in the quarter-finals in 2023.

South Africa’s last win against a West African opponent was a 1-0 victory against Nigeria in the 2015 semi-final. Overall, South Africa’s record against West African opponents is: Played 11, Won 2, Drew 3, Lost 6.

South Africa’s only wins against West African opponents were a 1-0 victory against Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria in the 2005 group stages and the 2015 semi-finals, respectively.

All three of South Africa’s draws against West African teams have ended 2-2, all in the group stages: against Nigeria in 2005, and against Côte d’Ivoire and Mali in 2015.

With 10 African places available for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar this November, every match is crucial. The top two teams from each group will automatically qualify for the quarter-finals. The four third-placed teams will then compete in World Cup play-off matches to determine the final two African qualifiers.

Broos continued, stating that 2025 could be a historic year for South African football, starting with Amajimbos. “You know also that 2025 can be fantastic year for South African football – starting with you on Sunday qualifying for the World Cup,” he said. 

“The Under-20 will be at the AFCON at the end of this month, Bafana Bafana already qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in December (in Morocco), but we are still in the running for the World Cup for 2026. 

“Imagine guys, you give it a start on Sunday to qualify for the World Cup, it will be motivation for us if three to four months in September and October when we play our four World Cup qualifiers. 

“So, I wish you all the best. Be confident, believe in yourself, listen to the coach. We need to be the best in the match on Sunday. All the best.”