Bafana Bafana of South Africa coach, Hugo Broos has predicted more gloom for Nigeria in the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers, as he says his team will defeat Lesotho on Friday, but believes Rwanda could pull off a huge shock against Nigeria on Saturday.
Sports247 reports that South Africa appears to have a huge advantage on Nigeria heading into the penultimate pair of matches in the World Cup qualifiers, as they will play their ‘away’ fixture with Lesotho on home soil in Bloemfontein, where they will also only four days later host Nigeria in a potentially decisive home encounter.
Read Also: National Youth Games: Oniusiriuka Shines As Lagos Scoops Nine Medals In Gymnastics
Broos took a closer look at the intriguing scenario playing out in the group and declared that his team just have to defeat Lesotho to stay top of the table, but he also admitted it will not be a stroll in the park.
The Belgian tactician declared, “We can’t afford to lose points against Lesotho. That does not mean we underestimate them. That would be the biggest mistake we could make.
“We also will not say it’s only Lesotho we will win against. When Lesotho played in Nigeria, they got an amazing result. So, we have to be careful and we have to keep the pressure on our opponents.”
Broos, who previously coached clubs in Morocco aa well as Cameroon’s national team, Indomitable Lions, analysed further that victory for South Africa a day before Nigeria hosts Rwanda would put pressure on the Super Eagles and give Bafana Bafana a psychological edge before they both lock horns on Tuesday.
“When we win the game on Friday, the job is done, and it would be up to our opponents to also win all their matches as well. So, it’s good that we win and put pressure on them. That is something we have to try and do, so that we can be in that position,” Broos affirmed.
He concluded by acknowledging that his side has an advantage ahead of Nigeria, who he believes might find it difficult to defeat third placed Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday, but Broos still noted that Bafana have to do their own part of the job by defeating Lesotho, a small landlocked country that South Africa completely surrounds.
“Considering that Nigeria will play on Saturday; it means if we win on Friday, it will be a big pressure on their shoulders, as they will have to win against Rwanda, who won’t want to lose.
“Rwanda will want to get to second place if they don’t lose to Nigeria, which would be an ideal position for us. So, first of all, we have to win on Friday,” 73-year-old Broos reiterated.
