The recent success of Mamelodi Sundowns has put their players in the spotlight for Bafana Bafana after mixed results in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, the Brazilians contributed eight players to Bafana before the withdrawals of Thapelo Maseko and Grant Kekana reduced that number to six.
It speaks volumes that all the six players from Sundowns in the Bafana squad made the starting line-up against Benin in the opening group game on Saturday, where South Africa won an opening game in a World Cup qualifier for the first time in 19 years.
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Benin coach Gernot Rohr, experienced in African qualifiers, suggested that the Brazilians players made a big difference, as they know themselves very well after defeat against South Africa.
The away trip to Rwanda for Bafana, who played in an unfamiliar artificial pitch in wet and bad conditions dampened the mood but they are still one point ahead of main rivals Nigeria and Zimbabwe in Group C, after they were leapfrogged by a point at the top by Amavubi.
It has always been proven in international football, that having the core of the team from one particular successful team of a nation can be a catalyst for the success of that country, as Spain for example, had the majority of players from a high-flying Barcelona when they dominated the international scene, winning the 2008 European Championship, the 2010 FIFA World and retaining the Euros in 2012.
Although Bafana are far away from competing against the big guns in a World Cup, the impact the Brazilians are making on the continent, going toe-to-toe with traditionally dominating North African giants like Al Ahly and Wydad Casablanca, winning the inaugural African Football League and half of that team going straight into Bafana line-up, gives South Africa a big advantage in the current World Cup qualifiers, where they have gained experience of travelling in Africa.
Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau had stated that it helps them as players to connect better in the national team with the majority coming from the same club.
"I think it does help a lot because if you check the national team of Belgium, France their players played together from U13s, U15s. Even us, it's giving us confidence to play with people you play with in your team," Mudau told SAFA media.
"Obviously there are players coming from different teams but I think we know our style, we know our South African style of football, we just need to apply whatever the coach tells us to do," he said.
Bafana will not be in World Cup qualifying action until next year in June, where they will travel to the Super Eagles and host the Warriors in the space of a week.
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