Ex-Bafana Star On WC Hopes: ‘We’re Not Under Pressure’

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane believes South Africa can play with no pressure at the 2026 World Cup due to their underdog status.

Check Out: Sundowns Lead the Way: Inside Bafana's Final 2026 World Cup Squad Numbers

South Africa will be in Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, South Korea, and Czechia, with Bafana opening the tournament against Mexico on 11 June.

The game is a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opener, a game that Letsholonyane played in, and the former Kaizer Chiefs man believes his home country should not be underestimated, according to TV Azteca.

"We have a chance to advance," 'Yeye' exclaimed. "Our rivals have players in major leagues, and it's a tough group for us. Although we know we're the underdogs, we're not under pressure to advance," he added.

With South Africa considered the weakest in the group, the 43-year-old explained that South Africa has the advantage.

"Nobody expects us to do it, but knowing the quality we have and the results we've had in the qualifiers, we can pull off an upset," he added.

South Africa is ranked 60th in the world, considerably lower than Mexico (15th), South Korea (25th), and Czechia (41st), but Letsholonyane believes that Hugo Broos' side can be one of the best third-placed teams.

Check Out: Williams: We Will Carry The Nation

"Third place gives us a great opportunity to advance to the final stage of the tournament. I hope that by the time we play our third match (against South Korea in Monterrey) we will already be one of the qualified teams," he concluded.