As a critical clash looms in their Fifa World Cup 2026 qualification campaign, Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams is brimming with enthusiasm ahead of Tuesday’s match against Benin in Ivory Coast.
A victory for South Africa could significantly boost their chances of qualifying for next year’s global showpiece, set to take place across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Currently, Bafana Bafana sit two points clear of Benin at the top of the Group C standings, and a win would provide a major boost to their World Cup hopes.
Goalkeeper Williams has been a cornerstone of the team’s defence. Speaking at Monday’s press conference, he expressed respect for Bafana's opponents while reaffirming his belief in the squad’s abilities.
“It’s going to be a tough one. Benin are a very good team, but we believe in our qualities. We believe in what we have been building over the last few months and look forward to the game,” said Williams.
“It’s going to be a challenging match, but I think this team is strong enough to overcome all those challenges.”
Williams further emphasised the importance of securing victory, stating that a win would reinforce their ambitions of reaching the World Cup.
“For us, it is about making sure that when this qualifying campaign is over, we are on top. That is the motivation going into the game. We must ensure that when the final whistle blows, we are still leading the group,” said Williams. “We know these are World Cup qualifiers, and we all have big dreams of being there next year. Just knowing we are currently top of the group is a huge motivation in itself.”
As Bafana prepare for this decisive encounter, the collective dream of competing on the world stage next year remains at the forefront of Williams and his teammates’ minds.