Home advantage key as Bafana Bafana look to bounce back against Rwanda

DON'T let anyone try to tell you otherwise; home-ground advantage is a huge advantage. 

Being familiar with the conditions at the host stadium, not having to travel and face a packed, hostile crowd in the stands, and being in a position where your visitors may have been subjected to Spartan accommodation, botched travel plans and other less than ideal conditions, puts a host team on the front foot before a match even gets under way.

Bafana Bafana experienced the sharp end of that stick back in November 2023, when Rwanda subjected them to a 2-0 defeat at a soggy Huye Stadium, and the pain from that loss still lingers.

That sodden afternoon, played out on a drenched artificial surface, marked a low point in South Africa’s qualifying run, as Rwanda, being more accustomed to playing on Astro, raced to a 2-0 lead inside 30 minutes through goals by Innocent Ntshuti and Gilbert Mugisha.

But now the soccer boot is on the other foot, and Hugo Broos’ men must make the most of their familiarity with the Mbombela pitch and the backing of their vocal supporters on Tuesday night and turn the tables on the visiting Rwandans to keep Bafana Bafana’s World Cup dream alive.

When South Africa steps onto the pitch in Mbombela, the red carpet will have been stowed away because they owe Rwanda a payback of epic proportions.

Bouncing back after Zimbabwe

South Africa enters the match with fresh momentum but lingering caution after Friday’s 0-0 draw with a 10-man Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Broos insists the team is refocused.

“We are back mentally and that is very important. The (team’s) qualities didn’t disappear with the draw against Zimbabwe. It was mentally that we had to recover and turn the button. You can be sure that the button has been turned, and mentality, the team spirit and the belief are there again,” Broos said.

Captain Ronwen Williams reinforced the coach’s optimism, noting the players’ renewed focus.

“Obviously, we were a bit down, we were devastated, but as the coach told us, we had 24 hours to clean that feeling out of our system. If you could have seen our training yesterday, you would have seen that the boys mean business,” Williams said.

“We still believe there’s all to play for and we believe that we can make history. You can feel and you can sense that inside the team and the players, the mindset is good,” he added.

Familiar faces from Rwanda

Several players lining up in Mbombela were also involved in that painful 2-0 loss in Huye. In goal, Ronwen Williams will be tasked with keeping the net clean. The backline features Khuliso Mudau, Nkosinathi Sibisi, and Aubrey Modiba, all survivors from the 2023 clash. Midfielders Sphephelo Sithole and Teboho Mokoena are back, while Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa may provide fresh legs off the bench.

These players carry both experience and a desire to rewrite history. Their familiarity with Rwanda’s style of play, combined with home advantage, will be central to Broos’ game plan.

Eyes on Benin and Nigeria

Beyond the game against Rwanda, Bafana Bafana’s World Cup hopes hinge on the result of the other game. Benin currently leads Group C, two points clear at the top after a shock win over Rwanda. 

The South Africans will therefore need to beat Rwanda and hope Nigeria can upset Benin in Uyo to keep their hopes of qualification alive.

For Broos and his men, Tuesday is a pivotal opportunity to leverage home conditions, regain confidence, and set up a potential pathway to the World Cup – and of course inflict a cutting revenge. 

With a squad blending experienced campaigners and eager newcomers, South Africa will be determined to leave everything on the field and hope that Nigeria does them a favour in doing the same.