Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has described Friday’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium as the team’s most important match in nearly 25 years.

South Africa face two must-win games — starting against Zimbabwe in Durban — under immense pressure to collect maximum points and hope that Benin drop points when they take on Rwanda at the Stade Amahoro in Kigali at the same time.

Both matches will kick off simultaneously to ensure no side gains an advantage.

Currently, Benin top Group C with 14 points after eight matches, level with second-placed South Africa. However, Bafana were bumped off the top spot after being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their March qualifier against Lesotho.

FIFA subsequently awarded the match 3-0 to Lesotho, dropping Bafana from first to second place in the group.

Now, Broos’s men must not only win their remaining fixtures but also hope that Rwanda do them a favour by beating Benin in Kigali.

“I think this game on Friday is one of the most important games in the last 24 or 25 years,” said Broos.

“With a victory, we have a big chance to qualify. But with a defeat, I think we can stop dreaming. That means it’s a very important game — and it will also be difficult because Zimbabwe have always been tough opponents. Friday will be no different.”

Zimbabwe are already out of contention for next year’s World Cup, sitting bottom of the group with four points from eight matches.

However, the Warriors have hurt Bafana before — famously beating them 2-1 in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers in September 2013, when Knowledge Musona and Cuthbert Malajila scored, with Bernard Parker netting a late consolation for South Africa.

“They are very motivated, from what I’ve read,” Broos added.

“We shouldn’t expect favours from them — but we don’t need any. You don’t need favours if you want to win and if you want to do things the right way.

“We believe in ourselves; we are confident. The captain, Ronwen Williams, has already said it. What I’ve seen over the past three or four days makes me very happy — the boys are motivated, and they understand how important this game is.

“We are confident that we can do the job. Winning on Friday is crucial. And if we win and God is with us, the last game against Rwanda in Mbombela could be completely different — maybe we won’t even need to win that one.”

In the African qualifiers, only the group winners automatically qualify for the FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. The four best-placed runners-up will get a second chance via a play-off round.