Broos says Bafana WC qualifier group is “not the most difficult”

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says his team’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers group is “not the most difficult” but is wary of Nigeria.

Bafana are in Group C alongside rivals Nigeria, Benin, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Lesotho in their World Cup qualifier group.

Bafana and Nigeria to face-off once again

Broos believes South Africa are not in the toughest group compared to other countries.

“When you look at our group, I think we are not in a really most difficult group. At the same time, there’ll be some tricky games. First of all, Nigeria is a very good team who’ve always qualified for Afcon, so it will be tough games against them. Our neighbours Zimbabwe and Lesotho will be very, very motivated to beat SA,”’ Bafana coach was quoted by Sowetanlive. .He said Rwanda an Benin shouldn’t give his side a lot of trouble at home.

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“There are still two other teams in Benin and Rwanda, not the most difficult and not the best teams of Africa but away games are always tricky. I think it will be very important to not only win at home. Away games will decide who wins the group. We will have to go for the first place so that we don’t have to play in the play-offs again afterwards,” Broos said.

Bafana are targeting the top spot in the group which will secure them automatic qualification.

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With the FIFA World Cup having expanded to 48 teams in 2026, it opens more slots for African teams and should Bafana fail to secure automatic qualification and finish amongst the four best group runners-up in the continent, they will compete in an inter-confederation tournament in March 2026.

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