Bafana Bafana have moved up to 48th in the latest FIFA Men’s World Rankings, returning to the global top 50 and keeping their place among Africa’s leading nations after a perfect start under head coach Pitso Mosimane.
Three Wins From Three
Mosimane’s return began with a 2-1 win over Guinea, followed by a 5-0 rout of Eritrea in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. South Africa then finished the international break with a 1-0 win over Egypt in Cairo, thanks to a debut goal from Puso Dithejane.
That makes it three wins from three under Mosimane, with eight goals scored and one conceded. The Egypt result was especially valuable for ranking points.
Africa’s Top 10 in the Latest FIFA Rankings
- Morocco: 12th in the world
- Senegal: 19th
- Egypt: 32nd
- Algeria: 36th
- Ivory Coast: 41st
- Nigeria: 43rd
- Tunisia: 49th
- Cameroon: 50th
- Mali: 53rd
- South Africa: 48th
A Notable Rise
Bafana now sit among established African football nations after years of struggling to stay among the continent’s leading sides. The rise marks a significant moment for South African football as Mosimane looks to build on the momentum.
Next Up: Kenya
Bafana’s next fixtures are a double-header against Kenya in the November international break, both Group D AFCON 2027 qualifiers kicking off at 18:00 SAST:
- Friday, 13 November 2026: South Africa vs Kenya (home)
- Tuesday, 17 November 2026: Kenya vs South Africa (away)
Is Bafana Bafana a top-10 side in Africa? Tell us in the comments.
