Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos believes that if Orlando Pirates fail to defeat Mamelodi Sundowns in their crucial Betway Premiership clash at FNB Stadium on Sunday, their league title aspirations will be effectively over.

This match holds significant importance for Broos, as both clubs feature players he has selected for Bafana Bafana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 21 March, and against Benin four days later, which will be played at a neutral venue in Ivory Coast.

Broos expressed his hope that none of the players from either team would suffer last-minute injuries before joining the national squad on Monday.

“I hope that nothing happens in that game regarding injuries,” Broos stated during his squad announcement on Thursday. “You cannot ask the players to hold back because national team games are approaching. They are playing to win. It is crucial for Sundowns to win and solidify their top position, and equally important for Pirates to maintain their title hopes.

“If Pirates lose, their chances of becoming champions are essentially finished. Therefore, it is a very important and intense game for both sides. I hope and pray that there are no injuries.”

In his squad announcement, Broos recalled Percy Tau, the national team vice-captain, and Jayden Adams. Adams, while still with Stellenbosch FC, was excluded from Broos’s squad for the two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo in October last year (a 5-0 victory in Gqeberha and a 0-0 draw away) due to disciplinary reasons, and had not been selected since.

Adams had failed to report for Bafana Bafana duty after going missing following Stellenbosch’s MTN8 final defeat against Orlando Pirates at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Since joining Sundowns in the January transfer window, Adams has displayed impressive form, warranting his national team recall.

Broos was emphatic about his desired outcome for the upcoming qualifiers. “Six from six,” he responded when asked about his target. “And if we achieve that, we will take a significant step towards qualification.”

Only the winners will qualify automatically for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the USA, while the four best-placed runners-up will have a second chance via the play-offs.