“We Will Qualify Over Nigeria”: South Africa Coach Boasts Ahead of 2026 WCQ Against Super Eagles
- Hugo Broos insists South Africa will secure qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup if Bafana Bafana beat Nigeria
- The Super Eagles face a must-win situation and go into the crunch game without injured striker Victor Osimhen
- The Toyota Stadium is set for an intense clash that could decide Group C’s World Cup ticket
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South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has turned up the heat ahead of next week’s World Cup qualifier against Nigeria, insisting that Bafana Bafana are in control of their own destiny.
Broos’ confidence comes as South Africa sit firmly on top of Group C, six points clear of the Super Eagles, who are battling to stay alive in the World Cup race.
Source: Getty Images
Broos boasts South Africa will qualify
Broos did not hold back when asked about South Africa’s chances of booking a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the Daily Post, the Belgian coach believes beating Nigeria next week will seal the deal for Bafana Bafana, who have failed to qualify for the World Cup since hosting the tournament in 2010.
“If God is with us, then we can maybe qualify for the World Cup by next Tuesday, and that stays as the target for us,” Broos told reporters.
“We are in a good situation, we have everything in our own hands, so it’s up to us to now finish it.”
With 16 points already on the board, Bafana Bafana know a win against Nigeria in Bloemfontein will effectively guarantee qualification.
For Broos, the game is not just another qualifier; it is a chance to confirm South Africa’s place on the biggest stage of football.
Nigeria in crisis mode after Osimhen’s injury
The Super Eagles, meanwhile, are facing one of their toughest qualification battles in recent years.
Sitting third in Group C with 10 points, Nigeria must win all three of their remaining matches and hope other results go their way.
Source: Twitter
The situation was made even worse with the news that Victor Osimhen will miss the must-win game against South Africa.
The Galatasaray striker picked up an injury during Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Rwanda and did not travel with the squad, GOAL reports.
Osimhen’s absence leaves Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle with a huge void to fill in a game where Nigeria desperately need goals.
The Super Eagles have struggled for consistency throughout the qualifiers, and without Osimhen, Nigeria’s hopes of mounting a late charge in the World Cup qualifiers look more difficult.
All eyes on Toyota Stadium
The Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein will host what is already being billed as one of the biggest clashes of the African qualifiers.
South Africa will enter the game with confidence after a string of strong results, while Nigeria are under pressure to silence critics and boost their qualification hopes.
For Bafana Bafana, the math is simple: win and confirm their place in the 2026 World Cup.
Nigeria’s World Cup hopes in jeopardy
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took a heavy blow after Victor Osimhen went off injured in the first half against Rwanda.
Osimhen led the attack in the must-win match against Amavubi and had the ball in the net in the first half, but it was ruled out for offside.
Source: Legit.ng
