Hugo Broos, head coach of the South African national team, believes his team’s hopes of making it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup depend heavily on the forthcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The former African champions head to Benin for their match on Tuesday after playing their neighbour, Lesotho, on Friday. Rwanda, who host Nigeria and Lesotho, is ahead of Bafana Bafana in Group C.

The Belgian strategist stated that a win over Lesotho and Benin would place his squad in a favourable position prior to the match in Polokwane, where the team arrived on Monday morning.

“As everybody knows, we have important games in front of us.

“It’s a key moment, I said that already before, if we can achieve two victories against Lesotho and Benin, then I think we can make a big step in qualification, certainly also taking account the other games in the group,” he said.

“First up we have Lesotho on Friday. Lesotho is a team that fights for each other.

“They fight for each other, they fight for each meter and every ball, and they are playing against South Africa.

“So, I think they will try to do something more against South Africa and against other teams. So again, it will be a tough game.

“And then we have the game outside of the country against Benin.

” The only advantage we have here is that Benin are playing in Ivory Coast, so a big crowd and their supporters will not be there. That is a little advantage for us”, said Broos.

With an outstanding bronze medal finish in the most recent TotalEnergies CAF AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, Broos’ charges have been playing well lately.

They will be hoping to build on this achievement as they aim to make a comeback to the world championship.

The last time South Africa participated in the FIFA World Cup was in 2010, the first time the international event was held in Africa.