South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has outlined the points tally he believes will secure Bafana Bafana’s place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ahead of Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports.
With only one automatic qualification spot available in Group C of the African qualifiers, the battle between South Africa and Nigeria has intensified.
The Super Eagles, three-time African champions, have struggled in their campaign so far, failing to win any of their first four matches. In contrast, South Africa remain well-positioned to return to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010.
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Bafana Bafana currently sit second in the group, level on seven points with Rwanda and Benin, while Nigeria languish in fifth place following three draws and a defeat.
With the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, Africa now has nine automatic qualification spots, with each group winner advancing to the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
After leading South Africa to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations without a single loss, Broos has mapped out a route to World Cup qualification.
His side will host Lesotho in Polokwane on March 17 before travelling to Ivory Coast to face Benin a week later.
The Belgian tactician believes winning the two games will move South Africa closer to 17 points needed to edge out rivals Nigeria.
“We now have seven points, and then I count six (in March), it’s 13. And then we have four games, which tally up to 12 points. I think if you have 16-17 points, you have qualified,” Broos told journalists as per Africa Football.
“All the teams are still in the running. Therefore, March can be a key month, and things will be a little bit clearer. And then after that, we can say, for example, Rwanda is out. Again, that’s why it’s very important to win the two games (against Lesotho and Benin).”
The Belgian coach has also urged South African fans to manage their expectations should the team reach the World Cup, suggesting that progressing beyond the group stage would be a realistic ambition.
“You know we have to be realistic. If tomorrow South Africa qualifies for the World Cup, we don’t have to talk about quarter-finals and semi-finals,” Broos added.
“I think if we go to the World Cup, like I said with AFCON, we need to have the ambition to pass the group stage. And then you play against Argentina, a big team, or Brazil, and then you go home [as a proud team in the end].”
Meanwhile, Nigeria have brought in Malian coach Éric Chelle to help revive their faltering World Cup hopes. The Super Eagles will face Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March, with victories in both fixtures crucial to getting their campaign back on track.
