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Thabo Moloisane and Hugo Broos, Bafana BafanaBackpage
Seth Willis

Hugo Broos promises Bafana Bafana 'will fight like lions' to overcome points deduction setback and qualify for FIFA World Cup ahead of crunch clash with Zimbabwe

South Africa have a daunting task in their pursuit for the 2026 World Cup ticket when they face their neigbours in the COSAFA derby. While the Warriors have no chance to dine with the big boys, their visitors are aware that anything apart from three points might cost them. It explains why the fans are anxious ahead of the Friday outing at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

  • Hugo Broos, Helman Mkhalele and Gayton McKenzie, Bafana BafanaBackpage

    Why are Bafana Bafana in a fix?

    South Africa were the best team in Group C in terms of consistency, and with two rounds to conclude the qualifiers, they had accumulated 17 points.

    However, FIFA sanctioned them for fielding a suspended Teboho Mokoena in March against Lesotho, a match that Broos' men won 2-0.

    The points deduction has seen them drop to second on the table with 14 points, the same as Benin, who have a better goal difference.

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  • Zimbabwe determined to floor Bafana Bafana

    Zimbabwe named a strong team to play South Africa, despite the fact that they are out of the race, having collected just four points from eight games played.

    Having qualified for the 2025 AFCON, they will be using the games against Bafana Bafana and Lesotho to prepare for it.

    Furthermore, they will be battling for the bragging rights, having lost the initial meeting 3-1.

  • Hugo Broos, Bafana BafanaBackpage

    Broos unfazed by Zimbabwe threat, calms fans anxiety, 'we will fight like lions'

    “The most important thing is that we beat Zimbabwe, I know that in this team, there’s such a mentality that makes me confident as a coach when you have two very important games in front of you,” the Belgian said in his pre-match interview.

    “I was a little bit disappointed the moment when the three points were deducted. Some people start to doubt that we can qualify to go to America.

    “I never understood doubters because we were not beaten on the pitch, not directly.

    "If we were beaten by Lesotho or Nigeria, maybe it’s possible [that our fans could doubt us]," Broos added.

    “But now, we played good games against Nigeria, Lesotho. Why should we start doubting now? There’s no reason to do that, and I told the players that they must not doubt themselves now.

    “The opponents aren’t twice as good as two months before. Everything is still the same. The only thing is if we had those three points, we would qualify if we win against Zimbabwe.

    “I feel the group knows that they are not worse than two months ago. They are the same team with the same quality and fantastic mentality.

    “Tomorrow [Friday] at 6 pm, we will fight like lions because we want to win that game. You can be sure of it," the 73-year-old concluded. 

  • Bafana Bafana, October 2025Backpage

    What comes next?

    For obvious reasons, Bafana Bafana can't afford to slip on Friday because that might dearly cost them.

    However, a win will be a confidence booster for the national team ahead of the forthcoming final Group C game against Rwanda.