Simon Burke

However, he cautioned that Bafana still has 6 qualifiers to play this year, beginning in March, and then in September and October.

He says his priority is to give everything he has to qualify, starting with matches against Lesotho and Benin in two months.

With the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draw concluded and Broos back at South African Football Association (SAFA) house after a European break, attention now turns to the most pressing and immediate concern: qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In March, Bafana has a home clash against Lesotho and an away match in the Ivory Coast, against Benin.

Broos highlighted the calibre of the opponents: “Starting with Lesotho, we are playing here in South Africa. So, this is a must-win. And then Benin. Benin is maybe stronger than everyone thinks. Certainly, of course, we are playing in Ivory Coast. We have good experiences in Ivory Coast, so we can be a little bit optimistic, but again, very difficult games in March.”

The month of March could prove to be a key turning point in Bafana’s qualification aspirations.  And also the travel to the Ivory Coast for the Benin match, directly after the match against Lesotho.

Broos believes the team will be able to handle the logistics. “SAFA evaluated. Doing trips to other countries before was a nightmare every time you had to travel 15, 16, 18 hours before you arrived at your destination. Now the last times we always had charters and that helps a lot.”

Broos is preparing to give it his all to achieve his last burning ambition, getting to the World Cup.

“It is also for me a big ambition. Me, I was there as a player in the World Cup but I would really want to be there also and then stop my career because I would be 74 next year. I think it is a very nice moment to end my career. So let’s hope we can achieve it.”

In September, Bafana will face Lesotho away, and Nigeria at home, and then in October, it will be Zimbabwe away and Rwanda at home.

—SABC—