Broos warned about keeping old players at Bafana Bafana – ‘Without young players, you go nowhere’

South Africans are still celebrating after the national team qualified for the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Bafana Bafana secured their ticket on Tuesday with a 3-0 win against Rwanda at the Bombela Stadium. Orlando Pirates trio, Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, and Evidence Makgopa were on target for the Hugo Broos' team.

Benin lost to Nigeria 4-0, which granted South Africa the top spot in the pool, with the Super Eagles making the playoffs list. 

It will be the first time since 2010 that Bafana Bafana will be competing in the prestigious global competition. Rwanda coach Adel Amrouche has now challenged the national team's technical team to consider having more youngsters in the team to sustain the quality and standards.

Prepare the youth for the future

I think Bafana are a good team; In your country, you’ve always had good [young players]. I remember that time when you had the likes of [Thulani] Serero under Serame [Letsoaka] when he was a coach,” he said in a presser.

“I think there’s a good generation now coming up. I think you must start to prepare the youth for the future because without young players, you go nowhere.

“You also have older players in the team, so you need fresh blood in your team,” Amrouche concluded.

Coach Hugo Broos now has about two months to start preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations that will be played in Morocco from December 21 to January 18. Bafana Bafana won bronze in the last edition and will be hoping to go a step better.