HOT STREAK FILE. Bafana Bafana aim to extend their record unbeaten run to 19 matches in their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin on Tuesday, maintaining their top spot in Group C, as they compete for a place in the next year's tournament. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: Backpagepix
As Bafana Bafana prepare to take on Benin in their FIFA World Cup qualifier in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Tuesday, they may just have one eye on extending their incredible unbeaten run of 18 matches.
The match will take place at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, in the Ivory Coast, as Benin does not have a FIFA-approved stadium in their country. Kick-off is at 6pm SA time.
South Africa currently have the longest unbeaten streak going in world football by a national team, with their last defeat coming in a penalty loss to Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final in February last year.
It means Hugo Broos and Bafana have a better unbeaten streak than Spain, who have not lost in 17 games.
For comparison, Spain are listed third in the FIFA world ranking, while South Africa are way down in 57th place.
In fact, South Africa just sneak into the top-10 in Africa at 10th place in the CAF rankings. Morocco are currently the top-ranked side on the continent at number 14 in the FIFA world rankings.
Bafana are currently sitting in top spot in their FIFA World Cup qualifying Group C. Bafana have 10 points after three wins, one draw, and a defeat.
Benin are in second place with eight points, with Rwanda third on seven and Nigeria in fourth with six points. With five games still remaining, the final standings are far from decided.
Only the top team in the group will directly qualify for the FIFA World Cup next year. However, the four best-performing second-placed teams from the nine groups will advance to a play-off stage of qualifiers.
As it stands though, Bafana are in pole position, and continuing their unbeaten run will qualify the country for the first time since the 2002 FIFA World Cup (SA gained automatic entry to the 2010 edition as hosts).
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