Soccer

Bafana’s Broos expects World Cup qualification to go to the wire

‘When you see the different outcomes, it’s unbelievable,’ stated the Bafana head coach.

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos believes qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup will go proper down to the wire in an more and more congested Group C.

Bafana picked up a helpful 1-1 attract Uyo towards Nigeria on Friday night, whereas wins for Lesotho and Benin has left all six groups in the group, after three matchdays, separated by simply three factors.

Lesotho are the shock leaders of the group on 5 factors, whereas Benin, Rwanda and Bafana all have 4 factors, Nigeria are on three factors, having drawn all three of their qualifiers to date, and Zimbabwe are on two.

“This group is not a group of all top countries, but it is a very tricky group,” stated Broos.

“When you see the different outcomes, it’s unbelievable. For me that is the greatest change (in African soccer). The ‘little’ international locations have progressed rather a lot. You noticed lots of outcomes at the AFCON (finals), the place you had groups in the second (final 16) and third (quarterfinals) rounds that you’d usually by no means anticipate.

“Here in this group the problem for all teams is that any team can win against any other team, or can take points from any other team. So I think it (qualification) will be tough and will not be decided before the last matchdaty.”

Only the crew that finishes on prime of Group C shall be assured a spot at the expanded 2026 Fifa World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Bafana might finally see Friday’s recreation as an essential level picked up on the highway, and Broos was happy with the character his crew confirmed, after an extended journey to Uyo that took longer than anticipated.

A superb purpose from Themba Zwane gave Bafana the lead at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, and whereas Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s strike simply after half time levelled the rating, Bafana held on for the level. If Hugo Broos’ facet can now beat Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday, they are going to be in an excellent place to push for World Cup qualification.

‘You can only be proud’

“I have to congratulate my players,” stated Broos.

“As you understand, otherwise you don’t know, we had a horrible journey to Nigeria. We are solely in the nation at 2am on Thursday morning. When you see the mentality of the crew right this moment you possibly can solely be proud.

“It was a tough game against a very good team. In the first half we were fantastic, we had some chances and could have scored to make it 2-0. And we were a bit unlucky that within two minutes of the second half we conceded a goal. Then it is difficult but we fought for it from the 46th minute to the 95th minute and …. I think the result is correct.”


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