Broos remains hopeful despite setback against Zimbabwe
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has urged his team and South Africans to stay positive and keep believing, despite their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes taking a hit following a disappointing draw against Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday evening.
South Africa went into the encounter knowing that only a win would keep them in control of their qualification destiny, but the ultra-defensive Warriors side held them to a stalemate, leaving Bafana’s fate hanging in the balance ahead of their final group clash against Rwanda on Tuesday.
Reflecting on the outcome, Broos admitted that the result has made things more complicated for his side but insisted that qualification remains within reach if they maintain belief and deliver on Tuesday.
“We don’t have it in our own hands anymore. We have to try again to be ready for the game of Tuesday and try to win it and then see what happens. It’s still possible but it becomes more difficult than before this game today. But still, we have to try to go on believing that maybe with a little miracle on Tuesday, that we still can qualify.”
The Belgian tactician acknowledged the challenges of the match and expressed disappointment at missed opportunities that could have sealed the victory for Bafana Bafana.
“We knew that the match would be tough and difficult but even I think we had chances to score. We had the luck not with us today, certainly not the second half with the ball on the line and another one on the post. So we could’ve scored there and I’m sure we should’ve won the game.”
Broos further explained that South Africa’s qualification chances are still alive, depending not only on their result against Rwanda but also on what unfolds in other Group B fixtures, particularly between Nigeria and Benin.
“It’s still not 100% lost. It can still happen and it will be very important what happens in the game, Nigeria against Benin. We will see what result will be there but at the other side, we don’t really have to look. If we win the game, we’ll see what happens and that is the most important thing.”
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s decisive clash, Broos emphasized the importance of belief, noting that goal difference could play a crucial role in determining which nation advances to the World Cup.
“It will again not be easy, certainly not but as long as it’s possible, you have to believe. I think we will be one or two days a little bit down but I’ll do everything to have again a team who believes in it, Tuesday and will try to win the game with as much as possible goals because now it will be maybe goal difference that will decide who goes to America or not.”
While the draw was far from ideal, Broos remains adamant that his side still has a fighting chance. With the right mindset and determination, Bafana Bafana can still turn their campaign around and keep their World Cup dream alive.