Durban City coach Gavin Hunt hails home-based players role in South Africa’s World Cup qualification

Head coach of Durban City Gavin Hunt has eulogized home-based players for contributing significantly towards South Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualification.

The Bafana Bafana, coached by Hugo Broos, booked their place with a convincing 3-0 victory over Rwanda on the final day of the African qualifiers on Tuesday.

The result saw South Africa finish top of their group with 18 points from 10 matches, edging out Benin and Nigeria in one of the tightest qualification races on the continent. The victory sparked widespread celebrations across Johannesburg and other major cities, as fans rejoiced at the team’s return to the global stage.

This qualification ends South Africa’s long wait since their last World Cup appearance in 2010, when they hosted the tournament. They also featured in France 1998 and Korea-Japan 2002, with their best performance being a 17th-place finish.

However, Gavin Hunt has expressed his joy with South Africa achieving World Cup qualification with home-based players.

The Bafana Bafana secured qualification with a limited number of oversea players (5), affirming the competitiveness of their league.

“Unbelievable [11 PSL players in the line-up], but I mean we don’t have too many players outside of our borders, do we?,” Hunt asked as quoted by iDiski Times.

“I still think we can be stronger if we export a few more players, and get others to play.”

Hunt stressed that it is important for the national team do well as its success mirrors to the local league.

“It’s important that South Africa does well, you get judged as players by your national team, coaches too – so if the national team doesn’t do well your football [is perceived] not good,” he said.

“So, we need to be in these tournaments, qualify for the AFCON, the World Cup – it’s easier because of the numbers, so we should be in these tournaments regularly and long may it to continue.”

Hunt will also be hoping his Durban City side impresses against AmaZulu tomorrow evening, 6pm, at Moses Mabhida Stadium in a Betway Premiership match.