Pirates legend shares ‘non-negotiable’ formula for Bafana World Cup dream

With Bafana Bafana facing a definitive moment in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, South African football royalty has stepped in to offer a clear path to the global stage.

Gavin ‘Stability Unit’ Lane, the former Orlando Pirates and national team defender, has shared his views on the team’s precarious situation, offering a non-negotiable formula for securing their ticket to the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

South Africa will host Rwanda in a crucial, must-win match at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night. However, securing the victory is only half the battle, as their fate is currently dependent on the result of a parallel fixture.

Bafana Bafana, currently second in Group C and trailing leaders Benin by two points, complicated their journey after a frustrating 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe in Durban on Friday. This result means that even if Hugo Broos’ men defeat Rwanda, they will still need third-placed Nigeria to collect three points against Benin in their Tuesday fixture.

Lane’s Simple Prescription For Bafana Bafana: Score, Win, and Forget the Rest

In an interview with FARPost, Lane made it clear that the focus must be entirely on performance, not external factors. He referenced a conversation with legendary coach Gavin Hunt to drive home his point.

“I was playing golf with Gavin Hunt yesterday [Saturday] and we were talking about Bafana Bafana. We were saying if you don’t score, you won’t go to the World Cup; it’s as simple as that. No two ways about it,” Lane stated.

For the two-time capped international, the solution is brutally simple: maximum effort and maximum points.

“We have to get a victory, and that’s the main thing. If you are not taking your chances, you just play and hope to win. We need three points and take it from there. I know it is a difficult game.

Benin are playing Nigeria in Nigeria, but you can’t rely on other teams. On this one, we just need to get in there and get the three points, make sure of it.”

Lane concluded his advice by appealing to the team’s national pride, urging every player to treat the Rwanda encounter as the game of their careers.

“I expect the players to go out there and give 120 per cent, every single player, even if you are coming off the bench. Go out there and make the country proud. You are not just playing for yourself and your teammates, you are playing for everyone in South Africa,” he added.

“They have an opportunity, imagine going to the World Cup is beautiful. That’s what they have to look at and think of.”