Sithembinkosi L. Jiyane
Sports Reporter
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\u200eSouth Africa\u2019s national football team, Bafana Bafana, will share a R5 million bonus after qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
\u200e
\u200eThe announcement was made by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, in the team\u2019s dressing room following their 3\u20130 victory over Rwanda, which secured their top spot in Group A.
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\u200eMcKenzie praised the players and technical team for their hard work and determination, saying they had made the nation proud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve made the country happy, so we\u2019ll make you happy too,\u201d he said.
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\u200eThis marks Bafana Bafana\u2019s first World Cup appearance in 16 years, their last being in 2010, when South Africa hosted the tournament. Their previous qualification before that was in 2002.
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\u200eThe minister also commended coach Hugo Broos for transforming the team\u2019s fortunes, noting that critics had doubted them after their draw with Zimbabwe and a three-point deduction earlier in the qualifiers.
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\u200e \u201cThey played with heart. Before Broos, the team was a laughing stock, now look where we are,\u201d McKenzie remarked.
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\u200eMeanwhile, PSL clubs are also set to benefit from FIFA\u2019s $355 million (R6.4 billion) Club Benefits Programme, which compensates teams that release players not only for the World Cup finals but also for qualification matches.
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\u200eThe fund increased by nearly 70% compared to the previous cycle, is part of a new agreement between FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA).
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\u200eBafana Bafana\u2019s qualification not only revives national pride but also signals a new era for South African football.
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\u200eWith renewed confidence under coach Hugo Broos and growing support from the government and local clubs, the team\u2019s success serves as a powerful reminder that dedication and belief can restore the nation\u2019s place on the global football stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u200eZim GBC News | Global News From An African Perspective\u00a92025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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