Hugo Broos has sent a firm reminder to his squad following their 2-0 victory over Benin in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The win in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, was secured by goals from Burnley striker Lyle Foster and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams.
This result solidified South Africa’s position at the top of Group C, accumulating 13 points after six matches. Indeed, Bafana Bafana remain undefeated across their six World Cup qualifiers, having won four and drawn two, giving them a comfortable cushion heading into the final phase of qualifying.
Read: Bafana Bafana Strengthen World Cup Hopes with Win Over Benin
Broos has acknowledged the strength of his squad, which has been performing consistently, even with changes in the lineup. He has attributed this depth to the hard work and careful selection of players during his tenure. However, the Belgian tactician was quick to urge his players to remain grounded and avoid complacency as they approach the final stretch of qualifiers.
“We needed some time to build this group. In the beginning, when I came to South Africa, it was not so easy in the first year,” Broos said as quoted by FARPost.
“There were a lot of problems, but we went and looked for the right players for all positions, and we found them. And I think now we have a very good team. Now, we can even change players, and our performances will not be affected.
“So, that means that we are strong, and we have to be confident and not be afraid of any opponent playing against us. The only thing we have to do is hard work as we have been doing till now, not thinking that everything has already been done.
Broos continued, emphasizing that while the team is in a favorable position, the final hurdle is still ahead. But we are in a good position now. I think [looking] at our group, if we do not do stupid things, we are very close to qualifying for the World Cup.”
South Africa’s remaining matches include encounters with Lesotho and Nigeria in September 2025, followed by Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October 2025, all of which are vital in their bid for a World Cup spot.