Broos Keeps Faint World Cup Hopes Alive
Despite struggling to break down a resilient Zimbabwe, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos still holds faint hope of reaching next year’s FIFA World Cup finals in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Bafana Bafana were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Zimbabwe in a crucial World Cup qualifier at a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday night.
To make matters worse, Benin strengthened their grip on top spot in Group C after beating Rwanda in Kigali, moving to 17 points — two ahead of South Africa — heading into the final round of qualifiers.
Broos’s men created several chances but were denied by poor luck and brave defending. Lyle Foster struck the post in the second half and saw another effort cleared off the line after rounding Zimbabwean goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Earlier, Mohau Nkota also came close in the first half, hitting the upright with Arubi at full stretch.
Bafana Bafana will now host Rwanda in their final qualifier and will need Nigeria, who beat Lesotho on Friday, to defeat Benin in their final group match to keep South Africa’s qualification dream alive.
“The situation has become more difficult now than before this game [against Zimbabwe],” Broos admitted.
“It’s not completely lost — it can still happen. What happens in the Nigeria versus Benin game will be very important.
“But on the other hand, we shouldn’t focus too much on that. We have to win our game first, then see what happens. That’s the most important thing.
“It will not be easy, certainly not. But as long as it’s possible, we have to believe. Maybe for a day or two we’ll feel down, but by Tuesday we’ll have a team that believes — and we’ll try to win the game, hopefully with goals, because goal difference could decide who goes through to America, Canada, or Mexico.”
Bafana will be without star defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who was sent off in the final minute against Zimbabwe.
Coach Broos himself was also cautioned by Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal during the match after showing visible frustration on the touchline.
In the African qualifiers, only the group winners automatically qualify for the FIFA World Cup, while the four best runners-up will have a second chance through a play-off round.
