2026 WCQ: South Africa Coach Explains What Will Happen Should His Side Fail to Beat Lesotho
- Hugo Broos has expressed concerns ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho at Bloemfontein's Toyota Stadium on September 5
- A victory from the encounter is vital for Bafana Bafana, who lead CAF qualification Group C with 13 points
- The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Saturday
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The head coach of the South African national football team, Hugo Broos, seems apprehensive ahead of their game against Lesotho.
Bafana Bafana will face the Crocodiles at Bloemfontein's Toyota Stadium on Friday, September 5, in a vital FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The clash is technically an away game, but they will play on home turf in South Africa as Lesotho is without an approved stadium.
Source: Getty Images
Broos understands that the stakes are high as the group leaders will go nine points clear of Nigeria, should they win the encounter.
South Africa are top of the CAF qualification Group C with 13 points, Rwanda and Benin have 8 points each, while Nigeria have 7 points.
Super Eagles won't play until Saturday when they host the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, as per ESPN.
Ahead of the upcoming fixtures, Broos disclosed that his immediate focus is on getting all three points against Lesotho.
He said, via Sowetan Live:
"First of all let’s start with Lesotho. I don’t want to think about Nigeria for the moment. I have seen their games in the past and that’s enough for me for now.
"We will start focusing on them after the game with Lesotho. At this moment the most important thing is the game against Lesotho.
"We must get a victory against Lesotho because if we fail to do that, we will have more troubles in the future."
In the reverse fixture earlier at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa won 2-0 with goals from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams.
However, that result is being contested and could be overturned after South Africa fielded the ineligible Teboho Mokoena.
The Mamelodi Sundowns star was supposed to miss the match, having accumulated two yellow cards in two previous matches.
As a result, their five-point lead atop the group could be cut down to two, and for Broos, every win is of vital importance.
Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, there are concerns over the status of the Toyota Stadium point, but it has been officially approved to host the game against Lesotho and Nigeria.
Having paid a visit to the facility, the Hogu Broos said via GOAL:
"We got the message on Saturday that we can't play at the Free State Stadium because of the condition of the pitch," Broos told media.
"Lesotho also didn't know anything about it, but both teams must now just accept it as it is. I went to go and see the pitch last week already, and it was really awful."
Ekong sends message to Nigerians
Legit.ng earlier reported that Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has rallied the country to get behind the team as they face matches that will decide their World Cup fate.
The captain confirmed that all players had reported to camp, and they had a full-house training session on Wednesday evening at his home state stadium.
Source: Legit.ng
