Bafana breakthrough into Fifa top 50 ‘really motivating’, says Okon

Bafana Bafana were given another spur on their path to rejuvenation as the national team broke into the top 50 in the world in the latest Fifa rankings for the first time in 15 years.

The return of the most travelled and decorated South African coach, Pitso Mosimane, to the Bafana coaching job has started brightly. A 2-1 win against Guinea at Orlando Stadium and a 5-0 thrashing of Eritrea in Cairo see South Africa top of Group D in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying after their first two games.

Bafana meet Egypt in a friendly on Sunday (9pm in Egypt, 8pm SA time) at Cairo International Stadium, and the Pharaohs will be out to gain revenge for a shock last 16 defeat to Stuart Baxter’s Bafana at the same venue in the 2019 Afcon.

For Mosimane, the game also holds significance. Egypt is a country he earned strong results in during his first tenure, and he earned more respect, first winning the 2016 Caf Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns against Zamalek, then coaching Al Ahly to numerous titles, including two more Champions Leagues.

The coach will be pleased Bafana have moved from 50th to 49th in the latest Fifa rankings, making a first breakthrough into the top 50 since briefly occupying the same position during Mosimane’s previous tenure, in October 2011.

Centreback Ime Okon said the development motivates Bafana to keep working hard on their trajectory of a resurrection started under Mosimane’s predecessor, Hugo Broos.

“It’s really motivating. And then you see the teams in front of you, and you think you can actually get more places and go up [even more],” the Hannover 96 defender said.

“We just look forward to getting better spots now.”

Okon starred alongside huge centreback prospect Mbekezeli Mbokazi as South Africa went out in the last 32 of the 2026 Fifa World Cup to co-host Canada in June. The Germany-based player has partnered another major defensive prospect in Rangers FC’s Olwethu Makhanya in Mosimane’s first two games.

The coach has some latitude to experiment more with his lineup on Sunday, though he will also look to keep the positive results coming as he looks to introduce players such as forward call-ups Puso Dithejane, Mbokazi’s in-form teammate at Chicago Fire, and KV Kortrijk (Belgium) prospect Shandre Campbell.

“As we know, Egypt is one of the best teams in Africa. As a player you always want to play against the best teams and always want to challenge yourself,” Okon said.

“The feeling in the team is we’re very excited to play against them and test ourselves and see what [level we are at] and to show them what we are about.”

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