Resilient coach Hugo Broos vows Bafana Bafana players will fight to go to America

Despite the World Cup qualification setbacks, coach Hugo Broos remains optimistic about Bafana Bafana team’s journey towards securing a place in the upcoming tournament in North America.

With the mental resilience and strong camaraderie among the players, Bafana appears determined to rise above the challenges ahead.

With both remaining qualifiers set to unfold on home soil, Bafana’s chances to secure their place in the World Cup intensify. They will face Zimbabwe, unexpectedly, at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 10, followed by a warm welcome to Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium just four days later.

The stakes have never been higher, and Broos believes the team is more than equipped to handle the pressure of these back-to-back qualifiers.

Broos, exuding confidence, addressed concerns regarding the team’s mentality after some unsettling news earlier this week.

“I am not afraid that this (losing three points) will affect the mentality in the group,” he stated at the squad announcement in Johannesburg on Thursday.

“I know those guys (Bafana players), and I know what they want. They want to go to America. They will do everything in the next two games to win those games. It does not affect us (mentally)!”

Broos further elaborated that the initial shock of losing points has transformed into motivation for the team. “It has become a motivation for me. I will try to pass it to the players, that we now have extra motivation to show all those guys who are doubting that we will go to America.”

With an optimistic air, Broos added, “We will show them on the 14th (after the game against Rwanda) that we will book our ticket.”

In a lighter moment, the coach touched on the controversial absence of defender Siyabonga Ngezana, whose suspension has paved the way for Nkosinathi Sibisi, the captain of Orlando Pirates, to rejoin the squad.

Broos playfully remarked, “We learned!” concerning the circumstances that led to the change. Sibisi is one of the few remaining players from Broos’ inaugural squad announcement in 2021, holding an essential role in maintaining the team’s spirit.

Despite Sibisi’s limited playtime in the current season, having featured in only four of Orlando Pirates’ 13 matches due to injury and the rise of teammate Lebone Seema, Broos emphasised Sibisi’s critical role within the team. Broos remains confident in his abilities and experience.

“Sibisi has been with us from the beginning. You can always count on him,” he asserted. “He is vital for the atmosphere in the group. He hasn’t played so much in the last couple of weeks because he is coming back from an injury, and that’s not a reason enough for me to drop him.

“He is a guy that I have a lot of confidence in. He has a fantastic mentality and is also a good player. The younger players look up to him.”

With an unwavering belief in his 23-member squad and a clear vision for the future, Broos is rallying his team for these decisive matches.

The support from Bafana fans is undoubtedly essential as they strive to overcome any obstacles to reach their ultimate goal of competing on the world stage and a coveted place in football history.