Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, has expressed sympathy for South Africa ahead of the final game of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Akpeyi finds it difficult to believe that Bafana Bafana supporters have now resorted to using calculators to determine the permutations that could see the team qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the team’s hard work all along.
Bafana Bafana were on course to claim the automatic ticket for Group C, but it is now a different story following a major setback after the football governing body, FIFA, noticed that they had broken a regulation and deducted three points from their tally.
In their match against Lesotho, Bafana Bafana used an ineligible midfielder, Teboho Mokoena, who was on suspension.
They played out a goalless draw with Zimbabwe on Friday, and the result further deepened their chances of travelling to North America next year.
Speaking on SuperSport, Akpeyi, who is based in South Africa, said, “It’s quite unfortunate that after all the hard work Bafana Bafana have put into this campaign, they’ve reached a point where they need to bring out the calculator.
“It’s unfortunate that they could lose all of this at the very end, but there’s still a chance.
“We never know what will happen in the final games, so we’re still giving Bafana Bafana the benefit of the doubt.”
It will all end on Tuesday for Group C teams as Nigeria host Benin Republic in Uyo and Bafana Bafana welcome Rwanda in Mbombela.
Both Nigeria and South Africa must win their last games to stand any chance of qualification.
In their match against Lesotho, Bafana Bafana used an ineligible midfielder, Teboho Mokoena, who was on suspension.
They played out a goalless draw with Zimbabwe on Friday, and the result further deepened their chances of travelling to North America next year.
Speaking on SuperSport, Akpeyi, who is based in South Africa, said, “It’s quite unfortunate that after all the hard work Bafana Bafana have put into this campaign, they’ve reached a point where they need to bring out the calculator.
“It’s unfortunate that they could lose all of this at the very end, but there’s still a chance.
“We never know what will happen in the final games, so we’re still giving Bafana Bafana the benefit of the doubt.”
It will all end on Tuesday for Group C teams as Nigeria host Benin Republic in Uyo and Bafana Bafana welcome Rwanda in Mbombela.
Both Nigeria and South Africa must win their last games to stand any chance of qualification.
