Goss on Bafana’s World Cup campaign: ‘A quarterfinal would be awesome for SA’

In the presence of President Cyril Ramaphosa, French football legend, Marcel Desailly and 2010 FIFA World Cup goalscorer Siphiwe Tshabalala, current Bafana Bafana players Ronwen Williams and Ricardo Goss, along with assistant coach Helman Mkhalele, had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the original World Cup trophy as it made a stop at the Union Buildings.

The cup is made of 18 karat gold with bands of malachite on its base and stands 36.8 cm high and weighs 6.175 kg.

For Goss, being so close to it, was a reminder of the big year that lies ahead for Bafana, who will participate in their first global showpiece event since hosting it 16 years ago.

“I think it hasn't played in our mind yet,” Goss told Eyewitness News about the upcoming tournament which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

“I think it's going to play once we're on the flight. But yeah, look, goosebumps to be that close to the actual World Cup. You know, I think the last time it was here in South Africa was 2010. I think I was still in school that time. So yeah, I think it's goosebumps. And I think it's time that we keep working hard and start working smart, I think, because we've been working hard and get ready for the competition.”

South Africa will kick off their campaign against co-hosts Mexico on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in what is a repeat of the 2010 tournament opener.

The FIFA World Cup provides Bafana with a chance at redemption following their surprise last-16 exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

It will also be a farewell for Hugo Broos, who will retire from football after a 40-year coaching and playing career.

With so much emotion linked to their participation in the competition, Goss touched on expectations for South Africa.

“I think it's everyone's first World Cup and like I said, I keep saying that we can only dream as a country,” Goss says about their goals.

“I think a quarterfinal would be awesome for the country. I just think that we work hard, we work smart and let's see how far we can go and dream as a country.”

As for Broos, who at 74 is set to become the oldest coach in FIFA World Cup history at the 2026 tournament, Goss had nothing but praise for a man who has turned around the fortunes of a national team that former Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula once labelled as “a bunch of losers”.

“He's such a calm guy and has a wealth of experience that he brings to the team after the stint he had with Cameroon,” Goss tells EWN about the Belgian mentor.

“So, I think everyone is a bit…, it's going to be a bit disappointing when he leaves because he's pulled something good together. But yeah, I think it was his decision, and he knows why he made that decision.”

As for preparing for the tournament, Goss admits it’s a delicate balancing act for players as they try to put on performances at club level that will see them selected for the national team.

“You also don't want to peak too early,” Goss says about players’ mentality over the next few months.

“So, it's a difficult one, but you just try to be positive and just pray to God that by the time the tournament comes, you're fully fit and ready to compete.

“And obviously, fight for your place in the team as well, which is not easy. I think you can see how competitive the league is this season because everyone knows that the World Cup is just around the corner. So, it's also good for the league as well.”

Heading into the 2025 AFCON finals, Broos had said he is unlikely to change his goalkeeper trio, meaning that Williams, Goss, and Sipho Chaine are expected to be on the plane headed to Mexico in June.

However, the Siwelele FC shot stopper says that reassurance does not mean players can rest on their laurels.

“To be honest, it's a good feeling and it's good to know that,” Goss says about Broos’ support of the goalkeeping trio.

“But I think we are just professionals, and we can't be complacent. We just need to push because we also have goals as goalkeepers for the league related to how many clean sheets we want. So that's going to push us.”

While Goss made his debut for the national team in 2020, he’s only amassed five caps and currently finds himself third in the pecking order behind captain Williams and Orlando Pirates’ Chaine.

However, he’s had the luxury of being selected for two AFCON squads and reflected on his role within the setup.

“Look, I think it's a country, you know, so I'm proud of my country and whether Ronwen is playing, Sipho is playing or Veli [Mothwa] is playing, I think on my end it's just to support them because they also support me when I play. I remember even when we played against Ghana, that friendly, Ronwen was the one that was behind me.

“He was saying ‘hey, this is your time, this is the time,’ you know. So, it's not easy, it's difficult, but at the end of the day, it's our country and I'm proud of my country and I want our country to do well.”

While all eyes are on the upcoming World Cup, the postmortem of South Africa’s last-16 exit at the 2025 AFCON continues.

Despite being billed as one of the pre-tournament favourites, Bafana were less than impressive in the group stages as they finished second behind Egypt. They then paid the ultimate price for a lack of a killer instinct as they lost 2-1 to Cameroon in the first knockout round.

“I think we've had time to reflect,” says Goss about their early elimination.

“We're obviously disappointed. We couldn't even watch the remaining games of the AFCON because that's how disappointed we were. But yeah, I think we've had time, and I think the FIFA break that comes in March, we'll be able to see. You will see our disappointment and obviously through our strong performances that we must put on in March.”