A former South Africa midfielder, Benedict Vilakazi says it will be almost impossible for the Bafana Bafana to recover and qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament.
The former Bafana Bafana made this claim after the South Africa national team opened Group G of the Africa qualifier with a goalless draw result away at Zimbabwe last Friday.
Bemoaning how South Africa could not beat a Zimbabwe team that missed the services of seven key players, Benedict Vilakazi says the Bafana Bafana are doomed.
“If we failed to beat a depleted Zimbabwe while we had everyone, then we are not going anywhere [to the World Cup],” Vilakazi said in an interview with iDiski TV.
The ex-player added, “Remember, we are going to face Ghana on Monday. The same Ghana which troubled us here while depleted as well. The coach should play these Under-23 boys who participated at the Olympics. That’s where he needs to build his team from for the next Afcon and [2026] World Cup.
“I don’t know if this was a friendly game for the World Cup qualifiers or it was a World Cup qualifier proper. I don’t think we took this game seriously. We have people here in South Africa who have been watching football for many years and know our players.”
Up next for South Africa, the team will later today take on Ghana at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.