South Africa coach Hugo Broos says his side could secure their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with victory over Nigeria in their next Group C qualifier.
Bafana Bafana tightened their grip at the summit with a 3-0 win over Lesotho in Bloemfontein on Friday, moving them to 16 points, five clear of Benin Republic in second and nine ahead of Nigeria.
“We won against Lesotho today. And now we will see next week against Nigeria,” Broos to the media.
“If God is with us, then we can maybe qualify for the World Cup by next Tuesday, and that stays as the target for us. We are in a good situation, we have everything in our own hands, so it’s up to us to now finish it.”
South Africa boss Hugo Broos. Photo Credit: Getty Images
For qualification to be sealed next week, South Africa need Rwanda and Benin to drop points, before defeating Nigeria at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Nigeria face Rwanda on Saturday and must win to revive their own qualification chances. But Group C is clouded by controversy after South Africa fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in March’s 2-0 win over Lesotho.
CAF and FIFA have yet to issue a ruling, but sanctions could see Bafana docked three points and three goals.
READ MORE: Nigeria suffer setback as Bayelsa Queens fall short in WAFU-B final
Elsewhere, Morocco became the latest African team to book their ticket to the 2026 World Cup after thrashing Niger 5-0 at the newly inaugurated Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat.
Goals from Ismael Saibari (two), Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane and Azzedine Ounahi sealed their seventh appearance at the tournament, and third in succession.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated the Atlas Lions, calling it a “historic achievement” and praising their growing stature.
“What an exceptional performance! Congratulations to Morocco, which has qualified for the World Cup for the seventh time in its history. This is a particularly important moment for Moroccan football, as we approach the centenary of the 2030 World Cup, which this magnificent country will host,” he wrote on Instagram.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL
He added: “But for now, it’s about celebrating this qualification for the fabulous 2026 World Cup. We look forward to seeing more feats, like those you achieved in Qatar to reach the semi-finals.”
Morocco made history at the 2022 edition by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.
