Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos remain positive his side can get a favourable result against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
South Africa will face Nigeria and Zimbabwe in their next two games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Broos’ side will take on Nigeria in Uyo on Friday and then host the Warriors of Zimbabwe four days later at the Free State Stadium, Blomfeintein.
Bafana Bafana put up a good fight the last time they met Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations losing the semi-final tie 4-2 on penalties.
“Let’s go to Nigeria and Zimbabwe, qualify for World Cup, everybody knows that every one of us wants to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2026 but we are in front of two very tough games,” Broos.
“First of all, Nigeria AFCON finalists, players who are playing in the best competitions in Europe. On the other side, we saw what we can do against them at AFCON, if we had a little bit of luck against them we would be in the final and not Nigeria.
“I think we were the best team in the semifinals, we could have won that. So, we don’t have to be afraid.
“The other game against Zimbabwe is different. It’s a game between neighbours I think that Zimbabwe, after the ban, they have another team with another coach. So, from that side, it will be a difficult game.
“But if you see our performances of the last six months, the game in Algeria, where we did a very good game. We have to be confident and we have to believe in our chances.
“And I know that some people say that, ‘against Algeria you received three goals’. But the two goals were of the individual mistakes. So for me, the three goals we conceded are not so important.
