A determined Hugo Broos insisted that his Bafana Bafana side face two crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers against difficult opponents Nigeria and Zimbabwe in their quest to clinch qualification.
South Africa sit second in Group C in the World Cup qualifying group stages so far on three points, a solitary point behind leaders Rwanda after two rounds of fixtures.
READ: PREVIEW: Rivalries renewed as Nigeria host Bafana Bafana in crucial World Cup 2026 qualifier
As the 10th highest team on the continent, Broos’ side face potentially their toughest fixture of the qualifiers in an away trip to the third-best ranked Super Eagles, who are also the favourites in Group C.
“Everyone knows that we all want to go to the World Cup and seal qualification, we are approaching two very tough games,” Broos said.
First of all, Nigeria, who were finalists at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, with players who are playing in the best competitions in Europe.
“On the other hand, we also saw what we can do on the AFCON stage and if we had a bit of luck on our side we would have been in the final instead of Nigeria.
“I think we were the best team in the semi-finals, where we could have won the match. So, we don’t need to fear them.”
Bafana will then host neighbours Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday 11 June in what will be seen as a must-win encounter to maintain their momentum in the group.
“The other game against Zimbabwe is different as it’s a game between neighbours and I think after their ban have changed their team with a different coach so it will be a tough game.
“But if you see our performances over the last six months, AFCON, the game in Nigeria where we performed very well. We have to be confident.
“We have to believe in our chances of qualifying, and I know some detractors will say ‘You conceded three goals against Nigeria’, but from the three goals, two were from individual mistakes.
“So for me, the three goals were not important, the performance for me was the most important against Algeria which it was a very good performance.
“It has to give us confidence to achieve our goal. Our goal has to be four or six [points from the next two matches], I don’t want to lose any of those two games.
“I want to win or draw which means we will stay in the race in the qualifying for the World Cup and that has to be our goal over the next two games.”
Kick-off is at 21:00.
Day before departure, and not even the icy 🥶 chill can keep us away! We back at @DobsieStadium for training . #BafanaPride #WCQualifiers pic.twitter.com/dtLzyaSzgn
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 4, 2024
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