Bafana Bafana’s Hugo Broos braces for fierce clash against Nigeria
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is prepared for a crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, aware of the need for strategic adjustments and the uncertainty surrounding FIFA’s pending decision on an eligibility issue from a previous qualifier against Lesotho. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane, Independent Newspapers
Image: Ayanda Ndamane, Independent Newspapers
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is under no illusion as to the challenge Nigeria will pose in their crucial FIFA World Cup Group C CAF qualifier at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Kick-off is at 6pm. If Bafana hold their position, they will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The four best runners-up in the groups will then head to CAF play-offs for a route to the inter-confederation tournament.
Bafana are fresh off a 3-0 win over Lesotho over the weekend as they entrenched their position at the top of their group with 16 points after seven games.
Benin are second on 11 points, with Nigeria nipping at their heels in third with 10 points.
Strategic Adjustments Needed to Face Nigeria After Lesotho Victory
“You know that Nigeria have a much better team than that one of Lesotho that we played on Friday,” said Broos.
“So, we will have to take other majors and other tactical things than we did in the game of Lesotho.
“We will see the next days, and we will try to find the right team to beat Nigeria on Tuesday.”
Beat Nigeria they must, as Bafana still don’t know what the future holds despite their lofty position on the table with three games remaining.
FIFA’s Decision Pending on Bafana’s Eligibility Issue
That’s because FIFA has yet to rule on Bafana fielding an ineligible player in their qualifier match against Lesotho five months ago. Bafana won that match at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium 2-0, but Teboho Mokoena participated in that clash even though he had received two yellow cards in previous qualifiers, which means he had a one-match suspension.
According to FIFA rules, Bafana should have been penalised with a 3-0 loss due to this infringement.
Lesotho, though, did not lodge their complaint in time, and FIFA is yet to rule on the matter. It means Bafana could still be docked three points at the end of their qualifiers.