Hugo Broos not mincing his words ahead of Lesotho, Nigeria clashes

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has issued a passionate call to arms ahead of two pivotal 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria.

South Africa’s senior men’s national team will face Lesotho on 5 September in the Free State before hosting Nigeria in Johannesburg on 9 September, also in the Free State.

Broos stressed the importance of total commitment from his players in both fixtures.

“We are still strong enough to beat Lesotho, but again, we have to focus and we have to concentrate,” he said.

“We have to reach our level best, and we have to fight. Playing a good game of football is okay when we can do it, why shouldn’t we do it, but let’s start from the first game, from the first minute and fight for every second, for every square metre on the pitch and try to win that game. It would be a very good situation for us if we could win the game on Friday.”

Broos admitted this has been one of the most challenging camps of his tenure, with injuries severely impacting squad depth.

Already without several key players due to fitness issues and off-field complications, the team suffered further setbacks with injuries to Ime Okon and Patrick Maswanganyi. In response, midfielder Sipho Mbule and defender Thabo Moloisane have been drafted in as late replacements.

Kamogelo Sebelele and Mduduzi Shabalala joined Broos at Monday’s arrival press conference, expressing their gratitude and excitement at being recognised for their club performances and earning national team call-ups.

INS AND OUTS

- Injuries have hit hard: Ime Okon and Patrick Maswanganyi are out.
- Sipho Mbule and Thabo Moloisane step in as late reinforcements.