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South Africa’s head coach, Hugo Broos, remains optimistic about his team’s chances of securing a 2026 World Cup ticket, edging out Nigeria and other Group C rivals.
Bafana Bafana sit second in the group standings with seven points, level with leaders Rwanda but trailing on goal difference.
In contrast, Nigeria’s Super Eagles are struggling in fifth place with just three points from four matches.
Broos, whose team topped Group K in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, believes South Africa’s recent consistency gives them a significant advantage.
“It doesn’t mean that we have to now think that we are where we have to be. No. But little by little we are becoming a very good team,” Broos remarked.
“That will give us the confidence that we need for the next thing we have to do, which is qualify for the World Cup.
“But I’m confident that we can do it.
I think, if SA can qualify for the World Cup it is now because we have quality; we have a good team. We can do it. But we still have to do it.”
While South Africa has not lost a match since their AFCON 2023 semifinal exit against Nigeria, the Super Eagles have struggled.
They have suffered three losses since the tournament – a friendly defeat to Mali, a World Cup qualifying loss to Benin, and a shocking home defeat to Rwanda in the AFCON qualifiers.
The first leg of the World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa ended in a 1-1 draw in Uyo, where South Africa narrowly missed out on all three points.
To keep their World Cup dreams alive, Nigeria must win all six remaining matches in the qualifiers. The task is daunting, as only the group winners secure automatic qualification.
Additionally, with nine groups in total, only the four best second-placed teams will advance to a playoff.
Having missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Super Eagles face immense pressure to avoid back-to-back failures.
Their next clash against South Africa is a must-win to revive their hopes of staying in contention.
