Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has expressed his confidence ahead of South Africa’s last two group games of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Sitting level with Bernin in group C on 14 points but behind on goal difference, South Africa are preparing for two must-win games on home soil.
Speaking ahead of Bafana Bafana’s fixtures against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, Broos stated he not only believes his group of players will get the job done, but that they are deserving of a spot at the upcoming tournament.
“There are no doubts. There have never been doubts from my side. And I will try to transfer that to the group tomorrow at the meeting we have, like always. I believe in that group and I’m sure that on Friday they will do everything to win that game. And why should we doubt if we see the performances in the past eight games for the qualifiers? I think if there is a team who deserves to go to the World Cup, it’s South Africa,” said Broos.
In the current group C situation, Nigeria and Rwanda are both three points behind South Africa and Benin. Group leaders Benin have to face both Nigeria and Rwanda in their final two games. With all sides fighting for maximum points, only one can succeed, which Broos made abundantly clear.
“And certainly look at the next games. There are four teams involved. It’s impossible that four teams can win their two matches. This is impossible. So therefore the game [on] Friday is maybe the most important. If we can win that game, we have 17 points. Nigeria, if they win their two games, they can only have 17 points. Same thing for Rwanda. But if they win their two games, Benin cannot win the two games. Because they play against Nigeria and Rwanda. And therefore the game [on] Friday is so important for us to win it,” he said.
Despite being knocked from first spot in the group after being docked three points, the 73-year-old did not let the deduction get to him, citing his side’s past performances and desire to reach the sport’s biggest competition.
“If you see that performance we had in the last two years, because it’s already two years when the first game took place, I think there is only one team who deserves to go there. We did what we have to do. Even that we did something that we are not allowed to do. But the 17 points would always be there. And for that reason there was never a doubt from my side even when they deducted the three points. So they can be sure that on Friday there will be a team on the pitch who will do everything to win that game,” Broos said.
Bafana Bafana will first face Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday before ending their group stage qualifiers against Rwanda at the Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on Tuesday.
