Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos believes the team can take a massive step closer to World Cup qualification if they can pick up the maximum six points in their qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin over the next week and a half.
The Belgian Broos announced his squad on Thursday night, with players like Percy Tau and Jayden Adams returning to the fold having missed out on selection during the last two FIFA international windows. Also included was Burnley forward Lyle Foster, who recently broke his 10-match goal-drought after returning to action following his injury.
However, despite being confident, Broos made a point about not underestimating their opponents, who will be motivated when coming up against one of the in-form teams on the African continent.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has announced the squad to face Lesotho and Benin in FIFA World Cup qualifiers to be played on 21 and 25 March 2025, respectively.#BafanaPride@SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/4hITBlSvEo
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 13, 2025
“… I think we can make a big step to qualification [if Bafana win both games], I am sure. But we have to do it, so again these are very important games, very tough games, because don’t underestimate Lesotho, maybe not on quality but on mentality,” Broos was quoted by SAFA media.
“It is a team that fights for 90 minutes for every metre and certainly when they play against South Africa, they will do one step more, I’m sure of it.
“Then we play Benin. We had difficulty against Benin one year ago when we played against them. We won 2-1 but it was a difficult game. The circumstances are different now, we made a lot of progression, but still, it will be a difficult game also. So, let’s hope we can achieve what we want, and we are able to do it. But again, in both games maybe the mentality will be more important than the quality.”
Bafana currently lie second in Group C of qualifiers, level on seven points with group leaders Rwanda and third-place Benin. With six games left to play, Broos’ men are still well placed to book their spot in next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Bafana squad for World Cup qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates).
Defenders: Sydney Mobbie (SuperSport United), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch FC), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB FC), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Fawaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch FC).
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates).
Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Elias Mokwana (ES Tunis), Lyle Foster (Burnley FC), Percy Tau (Qatar SC), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns).
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