South Africa’s head coach, Hugo Broos, has expressed strong confidence in Bafana Bafana’s ability to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting his team holds the advantage over Nigeria in the race for a group-topping finish.
Speaking during a press conference ahead of their crucial encounter against Zimbabwe, Broos described the match as the most decisive of their qualification campaign.
“That game on Friday is maybe the most important,” he told reporters.
“If we can win that game, we will have 17 points. Nigeria, if they win their two games, can only have 17 points — same thing for Rwanda.”
Although Benin currently lead the group, the Belgian tactician dismissed their chances of qualifying, arguing that they are unlikely to win both of their remaining fixtures against Nigeria and Rwanda.
“But Benin cannot win their two games because they play against Nigeria and Rwanda, therefore the game on Friday is so important for us to win it,” he added.
Despite a recent points deduction for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in March 2025, South Africa remain second in the group, three points ahead of Nigeria.
Broos brushed aside any concerns about losing momentum, expressing total belief in his players’ mentality and commitment.
“There are no doubts — there have never been doubts from my side. I will try to transfer that to the group tomorrow at a meeting we have, like always. I believe in this group,” he stated confidently.
Meanwhile, Nigeria must win their remaining fixtures against Lesotho and Benin Republic to sustain their World Cup hopes, while also relying on South Africa and Benin, who currently lead the standings, to drop points.
As the qualification campaign reaches its critical stage, both nations are locked in a tense battle for supremacy in Group C, with only the top team guaranteed a direct ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Soccernet.ng