South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has admitted that Bafana Bafana’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup now rest on Nigeria’s result against Benin Republic in Uyo, following their goalless draw with Zimbabwe in Durban on Friday.
The stalemate leaves South Africa on 15 points, two behind Group C leaders Benin and just one ahead of Nigeria, who are third with 14 points.
With only one automatic qualification spot available, Broos’ men must now beat Rwanda in their final match on Tuesday and hope the Super Eagles defeat Benin to have any chance of advancing.
“It’s still possible, but it becomes more difficult than today,” Broos told reporters after the match. “We have to go into that game believing that maybe, with a little miracle on Tuesday, we can still qualify.”
Broos stressed that his team must focus on their own performance while hoping results elsewhere go their way.
“Even if we win our game, we still need something in our favour from the other pitch in Nigeria. If the result is positive, with Nigeria beating Benin, we still have a chance to qualify,” he said.
He also noted that Nigeria’s push for a big win over Benin could work in South Africa’s favour. The Super Eagles, currently three points behind Benin and two goals worse off on goal difference, must win to top the group.
“It’s a good thing that Nigeria can even be first now,” Broos said. “They have to win against Benin in the last game. The biggest danger now is Benin. If we win, OK, Nigeria can’t overtake us, but if we don’t win and Benin lose, then it will come down to goal difference between them and Nigeria.”
The Belgian coach acknowledged that the situation was far from ideal but urged his players to stay positive.
“It will be really disappointing if Nigeria beats Benin and we don’t win against Rwanda, and that costs us the World Cup. That’s why today is a very sad evening, but there’s still hope. We have to take the big chance we have on Tuesday.”
Broos also blamed administrative errors for worsening their situation after FIFA docked South Africa three points earlier this month for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their 2–0 win over Lesotho in March. The decision awarded Lesotho a 3–0 victory and cost Bafana Bafana valuable points.
“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 setback, Broos urged his players to focus on their final match against Rwanda in Mbombela.
“It’s not 100 per cent lost — it can still happen. What happens between Nigeria and Benin will be very important, but we shouldn’t focus on that too much. If we win our game, we’ll see what happens. That’s the most important thing.”
Bafana Bafana left for Mbombela on Saturday morning to prepare for their decisive clash with Rwanda. They will be without defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who was sent off late in the match against Zimbabwe, as both Nigeria and Benin have also arrived in Uyo for their group finales.
