South Africa head coach Hugo Broos believes the Super Eagles will aid his Bafana Bafana side in their bid to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A 2-0 victory over Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday saw Bafana Bafana take the driving seat in group C, overtaking Rwanda who sat at the summit of the group standings heading into the fifth round of matches in the ongoing qualifying campaign but have now slipped to third following a 2-0 defeat to Nigeria.
With ten points to their name after five games, South Africa now hold a two point lead at the top of group C. Their closest rivals Benin Republic have a tally of eight points while Rwanda remain on seven points. Nigeria, Lesotho and Zimbabwe each have a six, five and three point tally respectively.
Heading into the second round of fixtures, Broos believes Nigeria, who are arguably the strongest side in the group, will make South Africa’s work easier as the Super Eagles throw their full might into securing victories in the remaining games.
“You know I said a few days ago that there was a team or country in the group who can help us a lot and it is Nigeria. You saw they beat Rwanda today,” Broos told reporters at a post-match press conference.
“They cannot afford themselves anymore to lose points. Against every team they will do everything to win and at the moment, we have four points ahead of Nigeria.”
“It’s up to us to do what we have to do, and when we do that, Nigeria will help us — you’ll see.
“The situation is good for the moment. It’s up to us to keep it that way and, certainly next Tuesday in Ivory Coast, not to do anything stupid.”
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
