By The Numbers: Bafana edge closer to World Cup

The result left Bafana on the verge of qualification for next year’s global showpiece event, with 17 points from eight games, and three ahead of nearest challengers Benin.

For the visitors, their hopes are left hanging by a thread – they will have to win their last two games, and hope other results go their way significantly. By The Numbers is a review of the midweek action.

Nearly there

With Benin beating Lesotho late last night, Bafana’s qualification remains unconfirmed. They still need four points in their final two games for guaranteed qualification, but there are still scenarios where they qualify without adding points to the current total. This will depend on other results. 21 points is the magic number – a guarantee for the Americas, given that the nearest opponent (Benin) can only get to 20 points maximum. However, should Benin lose or draw any of their two games, the magic number will come down and make qualification easier.

22 – Altogether, Bafana are now unbeaten in 22 matches under Hugo Broos (W11 D11 since losing to Mali on MD1 at AFCON excl. COSAFA Cup & CHAN).

A tough game

Compared to previous games in the qualifiers, Bafana faced possibly their toughest encounter yet. Nigeria came into this game knowing that a win would throw a pigeon in the Group C works, so they had to give their all. Despite the loss of Victor Osihmen, they had enough star power in their line-up to cause problems for their hosts. A front four comprising players from Atalanta, Panathinaikos, Fulham and Paris FC would worry most teams on the continent. Yet, it was Bafana that took the lead in a cage first half, thanks to an own goal. This helped continue their scoring pattern, which has contributed to making the team hard to beat in these qualifiers.

6 – consecutive games Bafana have scored in during the qualifiers

2002 – the last time Bafana scored in more consecutive games in a single qualification (10 then)

8 – consecutive games where Bafana have registered at least one goal v Nigeria

2014 – the last time Nigeria kept a clean sheet against Bafana

Looking at the numbers, Nigeria may walk away from this feeling they could have got more for their effort. They clawed their way back to 1-1 by the end of the first half, with a fortunate goal off an arm. They continued the momentum in the second half and could have taken the lead in the first 15-minutes, but wasted glorious chances and positions to do so. However, one shot on target all game is still a measly return.

5 – shots Bafana managed to take, their joint-fewest in a game in this campaign

292 – accurate passes for Bafana, the first time they complete less than 300 in a game in this campaign

1 – shots on target for Bafana, their fewest in a game in this campaign

0 – big chances created for Bafana, the first time they end a game with no big chance in this campaign

Next steps

The champagne will have to be on ice for at least another month, when the next interational window takes place. Fortunately for Bafana, the Zimbabwe (away) and Rwanda (home) games will be played in South Africa, giving the team an extra supporting voice. A month from now, we will know if Bafana will be joining the World Cup for the first time in 23 years. Having waited more than two decades, another month will not hurt.