Siyabonga Ngezana ready to lead Bafana Bafana defence in World Cup qualifiers

Bafana Bafana central defender Siyabonga Ngezana has candidly acknowledged the mounting pressure on the South African national team as it gears up for crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Nigeria.

The 28-year-old Ngezana plays for Romanian SuperLiga giants FCSB. Before that, he played seven seasons for Kaizer Chiefs after featuring in Orlando Pirates' youth system.

Last weekend, Ngezana, who has been flying the South African flag with distinction abroad for the past two seasons, played a full 90 minutes for FCSB in their 2-2 league draw against CFR Cluj.

"It is clear we have pressure, having not qualified for the World Cup in so many years," he remarked, underlining the historical significance of the upcoming fixtures. This sentiment echoes the frustrations of a nation that last made it through the World Cup qualification process in 2002, a milestone overshadowed by their hosting of the tournament in 2010.

Under the guidance of head coach Hugo Broos, Bafana Bafana currently sits at the top of Group C with a solid five-point lead.

The upcoming matches against Lesotho on Friday and Nigeria on Tuesday at the Free State Stadium are crucial for securing their spot in the World Cup finals, which will be hosted jointly by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Ngezana, who arrived in Johannesburg on Tuesday morning, emphasised the importance of maintaining focus and respect for their opponents, regardless of current standings.

"You cannot underestimate opponents. We need to respect them and show what we can do on the pitch. It is not going to be a walk in the park. They have experience in the Premier Soccer League, and most of our players play in the PSL. We need to bring our A game," he said, offering a glimpse into the mental preparation required for such high-stakes encounters.

Bafana's last World Cup appearance came under coach Carlos Queiroz in 2002, and since then, the team has been adrift in international football, unable to replicate those earlier successes.

Broos has effectively transformed the squad, leading them to a commendable third-place finish at the recent Africa Cup of Nations and positioning Bafana Bafana strongly for qualification.

If results go their way, Bafana could secure their spot in the World Cup as early as next Tuesday, underscoring the critical nature of these two home fixtures.