Broos makes big promise to Bafana fans ahead of Zimbabwe clash – ‘We’ll fight like lions’

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Broos makes big promise to Bafana fans ahead of Zimbabwe clash – ‘We’ll fight like lions’

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has rallied his team not to listen to outside noise and do the job on the pitch against Zimbabwe on Friday evening.

South Africa play the Warriors in a 2026 World Cup qualifier and must win the game to stay in contention for a direct ticket to next year’s tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Broos’ men received a setback when FIFA docked them three points for fielding Teboho Mokoena when he was ineligible for the match the match against Lesotho in March, seeing them tumble from top spot in Group C with 17 points to second on 14, same as Benin.

However, Broos is unfazed and feels his team will do the job against the odds after some fans cast doubts on their qualification prospects.

Broos slams Bafana’s doubters

“We played against Nigeria and a good game against Lesotho so why should we start doubting now and say this and that,” Broos told the media on Thursday.

“There is no reason to do that and I told that to the players this week. Do not start doubting now and think that all those opponents are twice better than three months ago. Everything remains the same, the only difference is that we were three points head and by now, we would have qualified by winning against Zimbabwe.”

The veteran tactician also feels the permutations are still the same in their run to the World Cup as they were still required to win their final two games anyway.

What is giving tactician hope?

Hugo Broos and his Bafana Bafana players. Photo Imago

Broos has lauded the positive spirit within his team which he is counting on to deliver the victory they need against Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

“Even with three points [ahead], we had to win the two games to be mathematically sure and nothing has changed. I feel it within the boys that they know they are not worse than three months ago,” he added.

“We are just the same team with fantastic quality and a great mentality. Tomorrow [Friday] at 6 o'clock the game starts and we want to win and we will fight like lions.”

South Africa beat Zimbabwe 3-1 in the corresponding fixture in June 2024.  

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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