FIFA ruling prompts Broos to revamp Bafana plans ahead of Zimbabwe and Rwanda clashes

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has been forced to rethink his strategy for the decisive final two Group C fixtures of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers after FIFA ruled on the eligibility case involving midfielder Teboho Mokoena.

The ruling, handed down on Monday, saw South Africa’s position in the group reshaped. Bafana, who had initially gone three points clear after September’s matches, now find themselves level on 14 points with Benin but moved to second place on goal difference.

With Zimbabwe and Rwanda up next later this month, Broos emphasised the increased pressure to secure maximum points.

“The only thing that changed is that we have to win every game, now we have to win them. Six, seven, eight months ago, if you play a draw or like we did in the beginning, losing against Rwanda, you can react the game after to win again, and now it’s finished after those two games.

So we have to win them and to win the games you have to score. If you don’t score, you can’t win the game.”

The Belgian tactician admitted that the revised circumstances influenced his squad selection, with a greater focus on both defensive and offensive options to ensure Bafana find the back of the net in these must-win encounters.

“So maybe when you take that into account, there’s some players with us now because we need them, because those are the guys that can score, there are guys who are offensively very strong and that is what we need.

Without forgetting that we have to defend because having a clean sheet, if it could happen two times then you’re on 50% of what you want to achieve.”

South Africa’s hopes of booking their ticket to the global showpiece now hinge entirely on their performances against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.

With no margin for error left, Broos’ men will need to combine attacking firepower with defensive discipline if they are to top the group and move a step closer to a place at the 2026 World Cup.