Bafana Bafana return to action with one mission in mind: operation six points.
Their work will begin with a battle in Limpopo on Friday evening when Hugo Broos and his battalion square off against Lesotho at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium to resume the ambition to be among the nations that will head to north America for the 2026 World Cup.
Broos is under no illusion that nothing but a victory against Likuena [Crocodiles] will suffice for South Africa to continue the competitive course the team has set out under his stewardship. This, especially because the Lesotho encounter will be followed by another assignment on Tuesday against Benin away at the Stade Houphouet-Boigny Stadium on Ivory Coast soil.
Bafana lie second behind group C table toppers Rwanda and ahead of Benin. All three are tied on seven points. Lesotho are fourth on five points.
When asked how many points he wanted from the two matches, Broos’ answer was short and sweet. “Six from six,” the Belgian replied, before adding, “and if you can succeed in that, you will make a big step towards qualification”.
Chow Crocodiles and Cheetahs
Now known by the valiant moniker of The Cheetahs after the Benin Football Federation succumbed to complaints by fans who felt the previous sobriquet of Squirrels reduced their team to a joke, Benin play their home games in neighbouring Ivory Coast because the country does not have an arena fit for international competition.
Collecting six points from the Crocodiles and the Cheetahs will shoot Bafana’s tally from seven to 11 — leaving them in complete control of their fate.
Four matches will follow in the final stretch of a campaign to gain automatic qualification for next year’s spectacle in Canada, Mexico and the US by finishing top of group C — starting with two in September, the return leg against Lesotho and the renewal of rivalry with the nemesis that is Nigeria.
Bafana will then round off their quest to quench their 16-year-long thirst to participate in the quadrennial global football showpiece with Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October
Bafana can ill afford to take Lesotho lightly. The Crocodiles showed their bite when they held a star-studded Super Eagles side to a 1-1 draw in Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. They dismissed doubts that the effort was a fluke with a fine 2-0 triumph over Zimbabwe at Orlando Stadium.
Lesotho and Zimbabwe are in a similar situation to Benin. The Confederation of African Football deems their home stadiums unsuitable to stage international matches. They play their home games in South Africa.
Though Lesotho have proven they have fire in the belly, as evidenced by their stoic showings against Nigeria and Zimbabwe, and the goalless draw against Benin, Bafana should be able to neuter them.
Nigeria ayisafani
At the risk of coming across as arrogant, Benin can be beaten. Bafana are a different kettle of fish from a Nigeria that Benin beat 2-1 in June.
The Super Eagles have been at sixes and sevens in this campaign. They are winless, with three draws and a defeat after four rounds of matches. In Mmusi Maimane’s voice, iNigeria ayisafani.
Broos has selected a strong squad for the twin assault on Lesotho and Benin. Jayden Adams, dropped for his disciplinary indiscretion while still at Stellenbosch FC, is back in the fold. He has been in a mood to tame alligators since switching to his new Mamelodi Sundowns home in January.
Also making a return is Percy Tau. The Lion of Judah had a change of scenery in January, transferring from African giants Al Ahly to the Qatar Stars League side Qatar SC. “It’s good to have Tau after a long time of not playing with us…” said Broos.
“I repeat it for the 20th time: players need to play so that when they come to Bafana, the level and intensity are higher. So, if you don’t play for three or four weeks, you’re not ready. You can be Percy Tau or another big-name player, but you have to play.”
X - @bbkunplugged99
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.