Bonang Matheba calls on SAFA to elevate Bafana Bafana’s brand after 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

South Africa beams with pride after Bafana Bafana qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, South Africa defeated Rwanda 3-0 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit to secure their place at the 2026 tournament, which for the first time, will be co-hosted in three countries, including the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Led by coach Hugo Broos, the team’s impressive win sealed the top spot in Group C and ended a long wait for South Africans eager to see their national team return to football’s biggest stage.

The celebrations came with a sense of relief, especially after the team’s campaign faced a setback in September when midfielder Teboho Mokoena was mistakenly fielded while ineligible for a qualifier against Lesotho. 

This led to FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee stripping Bafana Bafana of three points; the administrative error nearly cost the team their qualification hopes.

Heading into the final group match, South Africa needed both a win and for Nigeria to beat Benin. 

By the end of the match, both results had gone as they hoped, and in true South African fashion, social media was flooded with memes and jokes thanking Nigeria for “coming through for the boys” and helping secure Bafana Bafana’s World Cup spot.

The victory reignited the national pride South Africans are known for, and the celebrations quickly took over social media.

Among those joining the conversation was media personality and businesswoman Bonang Matheba, who wasted no time sharing her ideas with the South African Football Association (SAFA) on how to elevate the team’s image ahead of the global event.

She took to X to ask SAFA to start preparations early, and she was not talking about the pitch, but the presentation and branding. 

Matheba suggested that the Bafana Bafana squad should arrive in designer suits by Mmuso Maxwell, wear custom kits by a Rich Mnisi and Adidas collaboration, and release a graphic T-shirt collection in partnership with Bodega Boys. 

She also proposed a Bafana Bafana McDonald’s meal and recommended that the team’s press look be styled by acclaimed designer Thebe Magugu.

Her tweets quickly gained traction, with many fans praising her vision and calling for SAFA to take note. 

X user @DuchessOfSandton commented: “This is how you effectively collaborate between sport and the fashion creative sector. Bonang Matheba for Chief Collaboration Officer: SA World Cup Campaign. 

One fan, @KeBatso, suggested that “House of BNG”, Matheba’s own luxury beverage brand, should be the official celebratory drink for the team.

Many agreed that the presenter’s branding ideas could help Bafana Bafana step onto the world stage with a sense of style and pride that reflects South Africa’s vibe.

Bafana Bafana’s win comes sixteen years after South Africa successfully hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup.