NEWS: Hugo Broos believes Bafana Bafana’s homegrown talent can go toe-to-toe against Nigeria’s galaxy of stars in World Cup qualifier

Hugo Broos remains unperturbed by the lack of overseas-based players in his Bafana Bafana squad in comparison to continental counterparts Nigeria.

Bafana Bafana have just four players who don’t compete in the DStv Premiership with Percy Tau based in Egypt, Sphephelo Sithole turning out for Tondela in Portugal, while Lyle Foster and Siyabonga Ngezana are based in England, and Romania respectively.

“It is true that we have a lot of local players in our team and normally when you see a team like Nigeria and other African teams, they have players who are all playing competitions at a higher level,” said Broos ahead of Friday’s clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

READ: Daniel Amokachi resigns ahead of Super Eagles clash with Bafana Bafana

“But we proved in the AFCON that even with local players we can achieve a very high level. This is a big progression that South Africa has made when you compare it with the previous years.”

Broos impressively led a similar squad centred on local players to a third-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“This is the big step that we made with local players achieving a level that you need in those games,” Broos added.

“For me, it is not really a problem because we proved that we can do a good job. Again, it is up to our local players to show [their level] against those players who play in high-level competitions. It is a motivation.

“We are confident because ever since the AFCON, everyone has started to believe in the team because the results were so good. We will play the game against Nigeria with a lot of confidence and belief. It is a game of football and in the AFCON we were as good as Nigeria,” Broos concluded.