Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos believes Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ renewed determination will significantly benefit South Africa’s quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Bafana Bafana ascended to the top of Group C with 10 points following their victory over Lesotho at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday evening.

The 1996 African champions hold a two-point lead over second-placed Benin, who drew against Zimbabwe on Thursday. Rwanda, three points behind Bafana, suffered a defeat to Nigeria on Friday.

This victory marked Nigeria’s first win in the group, ending a four-match winless streak that included a draw against Bafana Bafana on home soil.

“You know, I said a few days ago that there’s a team or country in the group that will help us a lot, and that’s Nigeria,” Broos said.

“We saw they beat Rwanda on Friday. They can’t afford to lose points anymore, so against every team they will do everything to win.

“At the moment, we have four points ahead of Nigeria, so it’s up to us to do what we have to do. We will do what we have to do, and Nigeria will help us you will see that. 

“So, the situation is good at the moment and it’s up to us to keep that situation. I hope on Tuesday we will not do stupid things in Ivory Coast.”

South African football fans have been consistently filling stadiums for Bafana Bafana matches since last year, including a packed stadium in Polokwane for the Lesotho game.

Broos attributes this support to the renewed belief in the national team, which secured a bronze medal at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, their first podium finish in 24 years.

“At the beginning, it was normal because of Covid, and after Covid, they didn’t come,” explained the former Cameroonian coach.

“I asked several times that please they must come to the stadiums, we need them. If you play without a crowd it’s terrible when you come out from the dressing and see an empty stadium.

“When we came out from the dressing room, the crowd had noise, and that’s give you energy. So, those people must be in the stadium, and people from Polokwane they were there, in Cape Town they were there, in Bloemfontein they were there.

“I think now people find a way to go to the stadium to see Bafana Bafana playing. The team wins, and the fans are happy because you can see the players are working.

“So, this is why the crowd is coming to the stadium. Thanks to the success of the AFCON, and I think that was the moment that made South Africans start to believe in the team.”

Bafana Bafana’s next match is against Benin at a neutral venue in Ivory Coast, where Broos aims to solidify their position at the top of the group.