Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos said he is confident his team can take all three points from the Super Eagles when they clash June 7 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Broos, who was speaking after naming his squad Thursday, noted that Bafana Bafana’s semi-final clash against the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations was still fresh in their memory and his team will aim to win or at least get a draw.
“Why not have the confidence that we can beat Nigeria even in their own country,” said Broos.
We can do it if we play at the high level like at the Afcon but honestly a draw against Nigeria and a win against Zimbabwe I would be a happy coach.”
South Africa will travel to Uyo Wednesday next week and have a day of rest before facing the Super Eagles who are desperate to win the game and get their qualifier on track. They have two points from two matches, while South Africa has three points, they play Zimbabwe next, while Nigeria travel to Cote d’ Ivoire to face Benin Republic who are at the bottom of the table. Group C leaders Rwanda with four points will tackle Lesotho.
Notable inclusions in the Broos call up are exciting Orlando Pirates forward, Relebohile Mofokeng, Romanian-based defender, Siyabonga Ngezana and Burnley forward Lyle Foster.
Sekhukhune United’s Elias Mokwana, Pirates’ Patrick Maswanganyi and the Stellenbosch FC duo of Iqraam Rayners and Jayden Adams have also been included in the squad. This after they impressed when Bafana Bafana played the FIFA series matches against Andorra and Algeria in the North African country in March.
Talisman, Percy Tau, makes a return to the squad after he was excluded from the FIFA series in Algeria. Lyle Foster also returns to the squad. He wasn’t part of the Bafana Bafana squad for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast earlier this year due to mental health issues.