Hugo Broos: Upcoming qualifiers crucial to Bafana’s World Cup hopes

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos believes the upcoming qualifiers are crucial for their World Cup hopes.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says his side’s upcoming qualifiers will be crucial to their World Cup hopes.

South Africa is currently in second place in Group C with seven points from their opening four games.

Rwanda tops the group, also with seven points, while Benin is in third also have seven points from their opening four group matches.

Bafana is next in action at home against Lesotho on March 17, before taking on Benin in the Ivory Coast on March 24.

Broos is targeting the top spot in the group as he bids to secure his side’s place at the World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The Bafana boss said on IOL: “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 added: “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).”

Broos further explained that he won’t remain in the job if he fails to guide South Africa to the World Cup.

“You know, and it should be totally normal, that if we don’t qualify for the World Cup, after AFCOM, I stop. Why should I go on until June?” he said.

“This should be totally normal. But from what I expect, after we qualify for the World Cup, you should see me for more than a year. And I am very happy with that.

“It’s also a personal ambition. I was there as a player at the World Cup, but I want to be there (as a coach) and then stop my career because I will be 74 (years of age) next year.”