While gearing up for their third-place playoff against Congo DR in the Africa Cup of Nations later today, Broos is already looking ahead to the World Cup qualifiers, where they are set to face Nigeria, the team that halted their progress to the AFCON final.
Placed in a challenging group alongside Rwanda, Benin Republic, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Nigeria, South Africa currently trails group leaders Rwanda. Their campaign will resume in June with an away fixture against Nigeria in Uyo.
Broos views the clash with Nigeria as the initial step towards their aspiration of World Cup qualification, aiming to surpass the favorites using the experience gained from the AFCON tournament.
Acknowledging Nigeria's stature, Broos remains optimistic following their performance against them in the AFCON, highlighting the importance of facing formidable opponents to enhance South Africa's chances. Reflecting on their AFCON journey, Broos emphasized the value of friendly matches against top-tier teams in shaping their development.
With an eye on the 2026 World Cup, Broos acknowledges the competitive nature of their qualifying group, featuring Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Benin Republic, and Rwanda, where smaller nations have showcased significant progress. Despite the challenges, Broos exudes confidence in South Africa's ability to emerge as group leaders, drawing inspiration from their AFCON campaign.
As South Africa charts its course towards World Cup qualification, Broos emphasizes the importance of building on their AFCON success and remaining focused amidst the formidable competition within their group.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman