Head coach of South Africa Hugo Broos is counting on opponent Nigeria to secure qualification to the 2026 World Cup tournament to be staged in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The Bafana Bafana defeated Lesotho 2-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, March 21, 2025, propelling the team to the summit of Group C in the qualifying series after five matches.
The former African champions are on top of the standings, accumulating 10 points and are being trailed by Benin and Rwanda with 8 and 7 points re4spectively.
Meanwhile, Nigeria revived their qualification hopes with a 2-0 away win over Rwanda. The Super Eagles are level on points with Rwanda after five matches.
Speaking after Lesotho clash, the Belgian coach Super Eagles would be crucial in their qualification bid.
“You know, I said a few days ago that there’s a team or a country in the group who can help us a lot and it is Nigeria, you saw that they beat Rwanda. They can’t afford to lose points. So, against every team, they will do everything to win, and for the moment, we are four points ahead of Nigeria”
“So, it’s up to us to do what we have to do, And when we do what we have to do, Nigeria will help us, you will see. The situation is good at the moment, it’s up to us to keep that situation and certainly do well against Benin on Tuesday in Ivory Coast” he said.
South Africa will travel to face Benin in the sixth round of the qualifiers on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
