Bafana Bafana continue steady rise in FIFA rankings

Bafana Bafana’s great run of form has been rewarded by an increase in their FIFA rankings as they have moved up one place from the latest update.

South Africa, unbeaten in 16 games, beat Lesotho 3-0 before a 1-1 draw against Nigeria in their World Cup qualifiers this month as Hugo Broos’ men continued their march towards next year’s tournament.

That has seen them move up one place to position 55 in the world and they are now in the top 10 in Africa as they are ranked ninth on the continent.

FIFA probe leaves Bafana worried

Bafana Bafana have been hard to beat over the last one year and look set to make it to the World Cup directly although their qualification journey could suffer a setback following news that FIFA has opened a problem into their match against Lesotho in March.

South Africa fielded midfielder Teboho Mokoena despite the fact that he was suspended for the game and the administrative error could come back to bite after the global football body started investigation into the matter on Thursday.

What do SA need to qualify directly?

That could lead to points deductions that would complicate the arithmetic for Bafana Bafana but they have a chance to move higher up on the FIFA rankings and also qualify directly for the World Cup next month as long as they beat both Zimbabwe and Rwanda.

Zimbabwe have taken their match to Botswana, where South Africa will have to do the job, before hosting Rwanda.