South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has outlined the points total he believes will secure Bafana Bafana’s place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup ahead of Nigeria, according to Soccernet.ng.
With only one automatic qualification spot available in Group C of the African qualifiers, the competition between South Africa and Nigeria has become more intense.
The Super Eagles, three-time African champions, have struggled in their campaign so far, failing to win any of their first four matches. Meanwhile, South Africa is in a strong position to reach the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010. Bafana Bafana are currently second in the group, tied on seven points with Rwanda and Benin, while Nigeria sits in fifth place after three draws and a loss.
With the World Cup expanding to 48 teams, Africa now has nine automatic qualification spots, with each group winner securing a place in the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Broos, who led South Africa to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations without a loss, has outlined a path to World Cup qualification. His team will host Lesotho in Polokwane on March 17 before traveling to Ivory Coast to face Benin a week later.
The Belgian coach believes that winning both games will bring South Africa closer to the 17 points needed to edge out Nigeria.
“We now have seven points, and then I count six (in March), so that’s 13. After that, we have four games left, which could give us 12 points. I think if you reach 16 or 17 points, you’ve qualified,” Broos told journalists, as per Africa Football.
“All the teams are still in the running, so March will be a key month, and things will become a bit clearer. After that, we could say, for example, Rwanda is out. That’s why it’s so important to win the two games (against Lesotho and Benin).”
Broos also urged South African fans to manage their expectations if the team qualifies for the World Cup, suggesting that progressing beyond the group stage should be the realistic goal.
“We have to be realistic. If South Africa qualifies for the World Cup, we shouldn’t be talking about the quarter-finals or semi-finals,” Broos added.
“Like I said with AFCON, if we go to the World Cup, our ambition should be to pass the group stage. After that, if we face a team like Argentina or Brazil, we’ll go home with our heads held high.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria has 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 matches being vital to getting their campaign back on track.
