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South Africa coach, Hugo Broos, has admitted that Bafana Bafana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread after their goalless draw with Zimbabwe in Durban on Friday night.
The result means their qualification chances now rest on Nigeria’s performance against Benin Republic in Uyo.
Naija News reports that the draw leaves South Africa with 15 points, two behind Group C leaders Benin Republic and just one ahead of Nigeria, who are on 14. Only the top team in each group will qualify automatically for the World Cup, putting Broos and his players in a tight corner.
“It’s still possible, but it becomes more difficult than today,” Broos said after the match. “We have to go to that match believing that maybe with a little miracle on Tuesday, we can still qualify.”
The Belgian coach urged his players to stay focused on their task, stressing that a win against Rwanda in their final game on Tuesday is non-negotiable.
“Even if we win our game, we still need something in our favour on the other pitch in Nigeria. If the result is positive, with Nigeria beating Benin, we still have a chance to qualify,” he said.
Broos pointed out that Nigeria’s own chase for qualification could work in South Africa’s favour. The Super Eagles, sitting three points behind Benin with a weaker goal difference, must win big in Uyo to top the group.
“It’s a good thing that Nigeria can even be first now,” Broos explained. “They have to win against Benin in the last game. The biggest danger is now Benin. If we win, OK, Nigeria cannot be over us, but if we don’t win and Benin lose, then it will be the goal difference between them and Nigeria that decides the group.”
The 73-year-old tactician admitted the situation is far from ideal but insisted that there is still a glimmer of hope if his team gets it right in Mbombela.
“It will really be disappointing if Nigeria wins against Benin and we don’t win against Rwanda, and by that defeat, we should miss the World Cup. That’s why today it’s a very sad evening, but there’s still hope. We have to try to take the big chance that we have on Tuesday.”
Naija News reports that Bafana Bafana’s qualification campaign was dealt a severe blow earlier this month when FIFA docked them three points for fielding an ineligible player. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena was ruled ineligible for their 2-0 win over Lesotho in March, which was overturned to a 3-0 defeat.
“That deduction hurt us badly,” Broos said. “It’s disappointing because those three points would have put us in a much stronger position. Now we have to rely on others.”
Despite the frustration, the coach remains optimistic that his side can finish strong and at least keep their hopes alive until the final whistle.
“It’s not 100 per cent lost, it can still happen,” he said. “It will be very important what happens in the game between Nigeria and Benin. We’ll see what the result will be there. But on the other side, we don’t really have to look. If we win our game, we’ll see what happens. That’s the most important thing.”
The South African team departed Durban for Mbombela on Saturday morning to begin final preparations for their must-win clash against Rwanda. They will be without defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who was sent off late in the draw with Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, both Nigeria and Benin have arrived in Uyo ahead of their decisive group showdown.
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