Bafana Bafana return to Fifa’s top 50 after 15-year wait

South Africa’s rise into the Fifa world top 50 has given the team renewed encouragement, according to defender Ime Okon.

Bafana Bafana moved from 50th to 49th in the latest rankings, reaching the top 50 for the first time in 15 years. They had briefly held the same position in October 2011, during Pitso Mosimane’s previous spell as national coach.

The improvement comes after a strong start to Mosimane’s return. South Africa beat Guinea 2-1 at Orlando Stadium before thrashing Eritrea 5-0 in Cairo, results which leave them top of Group D in qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations after two matches.

Bafana Bafana face Egypt in a friendly at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled for 9pm in Egypt and 8pm South Africa time.

The match gives Egypt an opportunity to avenge their surprise last-16 defeat by Stuart Baxter’s South Africa at the same venue during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

It is also a significant fixture for Mosimane, who enjoyed considerable success in Egypt during his first tenure. He won the 2016 Caf Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns against Zamalek before going on to manage Al Ahly, with whom he collected numerous honours, including two further Champions League titles.

Okon believes the rankings rise can help maintain the momentum behind South Africa’s rebuilding process, which began under Mosimane’s predecessor Hugo Broos.

“It’s really motivating. And then you see the teams in front of you, and you think you can actually get more places and go up [even more],” said the Hannover 96 defender.

“We just look forward to getting better spots now.”

Okon played alongside highly rated centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi when South Africa were eliminated in the last 32 of the 2026 Fifa World Cup by co-hosts Canada in June.

The Germany-based defender has since partnered another promising centre-back, Rangers FC’s Olwethu Makhanya, in each of Mosimane’s first two matches.

Mosimane has greater scope to make changes against Egypt, although he will also want the team’s positive run to continue. The coach is considering giving opportunities to forward call-ups Puso Dithejane, Mbokazi’s in-form teammate at Chicago Fire, and Shandre Campbell, a prospect at KV Kortrijk in Belgium.

Okon said the challenge of facing one of Africa’s leading teams was welcomed by the squad.

“As we know, Egypt is one of the best teams in Africa. As a player you always want to play against the best teams and always want to challenge yourself,” he said.

“The feeling in the team is we’re very excited to play against them and test ourselves and see what [level we are at] and to show them what we are about.”