Bafana Bafana garner Brazilian support at World Cup

Bafana Bafana have been given an encouraging embrace from Brazil ahead of their second match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday.

The senior national team have a midday kick-off (18h00 SA time) in Atlanta on Thursday against Czechia in a match involving the two teams that lost their opening matches in Group A.

READ | Interest in Bafana vs Czechia referee appointment

Just like was the case on the opening day, Hugo Broos’ team is not being given much of a chance to win with the odds in Czechia’s favour.

It will two teams separated by 20 places on the FIFA rankings with the Europeans enjoying the better position yet all that doesn’t concern Davi Rancan.

"I always take interest when Bafana Bafana plays because it is a country that I relate to with joy and all else doesn’t matter be it form or rankings," Rancan tells KickOff.com.

Rancan was at Moroka Swallows from July 2008 until the course of the 2010 World Cup when he then left for FC Inter Turku in Finland.

He was a pony-tailed defender who won the 2009 Nedbank Cup before he had a fallout with German coach Rainer Zobel.

His arrival at Swallows coincided with the club’s signing of another three Brazilians Elton Morelato, Vinicius da Silva, and Igor Alves with their fellow countryman Julio Cesar appointed as head coach.

"I will always support Bafana Bafana when they play because I appreciate the time I spent in South Africa.

"My biggest hope at this World Cup right now is to see Bafana Bafana winning their next game.

"So, for everyone supporting Bafana Bafana please know that there is also support from a Brazilian who played in South Africa before.

"The tournament is not yet over for Bafana, so I hope they win the next game and make it through to the next round.

READ | Lack of confidence for Bafana in odds lists for next match

"Confidence and belief are the two elements that Bafana Bafana need," says Rancan.

Female American referee Tori Penso has been tasked with the whistle as she makes her debut in the men’s World Cup on Thursday.

The 38-year-old will be assisted by fellow Americans Brooke Mayo and Kathryn Nesbitt, while Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh of New Zealand will serve as the fourth official.