Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos says his side underestimated Rwanda in their 2026 World Cup qualifier.
Early goals from Innocent Nshuti (12′) and Gilbert Mugisha (28′) sealed a 2-0 win for the Wasps at the Huye Stadium on Tuesday.
It was a shock result for South Africa after they overcome Benin 2-1 in their first qualifier at the weekend.
The defeat left Broos’ side in second place in Group C with three points from two game, a point behind leaders Rwanda.
Speaking after the game, Broos said in the Citizen: “We lost the game in the first 20 to 25 minutes, we were not ready for the kick and rush football of Rwanda.
"It’s unbelievable that a qualifier of a World Cup is played on such a pitch."
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) November 21, 2023
Hugo Broos questions how a #WCQ in 2023 can be played in those conditions.
Refused to justify defeat due to pitch - but questioned the three hour bus trip to reach Butare.
Full story 🔗… pic.twitter.com/Ou7d1Ixo6h
“I told the players we have to be careful … and we gave them two presents.
“We were not ready for a duel (for the first) and then with the second goal we had the ball and they scored (again).
“Then we changed something, we asked the boys to put them under a bit more pressure and Rwanda didn’t come up with anything except one shot. For the rest of the match they defended.”
Broos also hit out at the state of the synthetic surface that was waterlogged as a result of heavy rains during the tie.
“It is unbelievable that a qualifier for a World Cup is played on such a pitch, it is impossible, but ok, it is what it is,” added the Bafana boss, who concluded that his side are still on course to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
“It is only a defeat,” Broos explained. “There are still eight games to go, you only pay the bill in two years, so we will see.”
