2026 Qualifiers: Broos Admits Nigeria Remains South Africa’s Biggest Threat

2026 Qualifiers: Broos Admits Nigeria Remains South Africa’s Biggest Threat

By Admin 

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has acknowledged that Nigeria’s Super Eagles remain the most formidable obstacle in Bafana Bafana’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite their underwhelming start to the qualifiers, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

In an interview with IOL, the Belgian coach emphasized the importance of the upcoming September 9 fixture in Bloemfontein, describing Nigeria as the team to beat in Group C.

 “We knew from the start that the team we had to beat was Nigeria,” Broos stated. “Even though they started badly, they can still qualify.”

Nigeria currently sits fourth in the group with seven points—six behind group leaders South Africa. The upcoming clash is pivotal for both sides: a win for Nigeria would breathe new life into their qualifying campaign, while a defeat could leave their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.

For South Africa, maintaining their lead will be critical, especially with group rivals beginning to gather momentum. Broos stressed that complacency would be dangerous, particularly against a side as talented and experienced as Nigeria.

 “They may have stumbled early on, but Nigeria remains the biggest threat in this group,” he warned.

The match in Bloemfontein is shaping up to be a crucial encounter that could significantly alter the dynamics of Group C. With both teams aware of what’s at stake, the stage is set for a high-stakes showdown.