Hugo Broos reiterates target of four points against Nigeria and Zimbabwe

By Velile Mnyandu
5th June 2024

As Bafana Bafana departs for Nigeria coach Hugo Broos has once again reiterated that his target in the next two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe is four points.

Bafana plays Nigeria in Uyo on Friday and returns for their fourth game in Group C against Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein next Tuesday.

Only group winners are guaranteed qualification for the World Cup, and Broos believes that the team has done more than enough in the past to be well-prepared for these types of matches.

"Qualifiers for the World Cup, everybody knows that every one of us wants to go and wants to qualify for the World Cup in 2026 but we are in front of two very tough games. First of all, Nigeria, finalist AFCON, players who are playing in the best competitions in Europe,” Broos said.

“We saw also what we can do against them in AFCON if we had a little bit of luck on our side. I think we were the best team in the semifinals, we could have won that so we don't have to be afraid.

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“The other game against Zimbabwe is different and a game between neighbours. I think Zimbabwe after the ban of AFCON last year (FIFA ban), they have another team, with another coach. From that side, it will be a tough game but our goal is to be at least four and six [points]. I don't wanna lose any of those two games."

Earlier this year, Broos led Bafana Bafana to their first semifinal qualification at the AFCON in 24 years.

They have also not reached the World Cup tournament via the qualifiers since 2002 in South Korea and Japan.

Broos believes that the euphoria of the recent AFCON can drive them to North America in 2026.

"You know, I said it already before, they qualified for big tournaments like AFCON and the World Cup is very important for the country. You see what happened after we played in AFCON, suddenly everyone 'Wow, South Africa',” the coach added.

“It's important for South African football but it's also important for South African players, suddenly there is interest. So, it's very important again how after a good performance in the AFCON that we qualify also for the World Cup because if we don't then they put you back again to where we started, six, seven months ago."