Broos impressed by Bafana’s mentality as they edge closer to World Cup qualification

JOHANNESBURG - "Broos Ball" has edged closer to being an American dream after Bafana Bafana played out a one-all draw with Nigeria in a Group C 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday.

A William Troost-Ekong own goal had given South Africa the lead in the 25^th minute before Calvin Bassey equalised by heading in off his own arm.

Bafana held on to earn a point that moves them to 17 points after eight games played.

“I think it was a game I expected,” Broos said in reaction to the result.

“On one side, a team who wants to play football, the other side a team who tried to win the game by power. We did very well the first half and hour and after then Nigeria played a physical game. They tried to come back and they did. If we defended more aggressively, they would not have scored the goal firstly and secondly, it was a hand ball.”

Despite the draw, Broos lauded the way his team handled being pegged back, just before the half-time break.

“But okay, it was 1-1 and you know you can expect from Nigeria that would play a different kind of football,” Broos said of their opponents.

“When you see the amount of progress South Africa have made, it is enormous. If the South Africa of two years ago played against Nigeria, they would have lost. We knew that in the second-half we couldn’t win the game by playing football but by fighting.

“We fought as much as our opponents. We were as physical as our opponents, and I think the result is the right result. None of the two teams deserve to win but I think we do the best operation with this point. Now we need one victory and we have two opportunities so let’s try to do it as soon as possible.”

The win for Broos’ side came after he made four changes to the team, including calling up Bathusi Aubaas to replace Thalente Mbatha in midfield.

In defence, Mbekezeli Mbokazi was the only player to retain his place in the back four as Siyabonga Ngezana, Zuko Mdunyelwa and Samukele Kabini all earned recalls.

It wasn’t smooth sailing however, with Broos frustrated with the building from the back of captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

“We always try to build up from behind and the first half hour it went well,” he said of the tactics.

“But then we made some mistake of positions and therefore Ronwen had to kick the ball. And a few times, it was not the right ball that he kicked and that doesn’t happen a lot with Ronwen because he has a good kick.

“A few times he brought us in danger. So, I asked him during half time to be careful with that and he didn’t do it anymore but ourbuild up was also not good anymore. But you have to sometimes adapt according to the opponents’ game and today if we wanted to play football it was impossible. So, we did it in another way. Before the game I was happy with four from six from the two games, and we have the four points, so I am happy.”

The impressive performance from Bafana comes amid a crippling injury crisis that saw the likes of Themba Zwane and Nyiko Mobbie missing the clashes.

Despite their struggles, Broos was happy to see his young stars stand up and be counted.

He now hopes that with participation in the tournament - which will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States of America - several locally based players will secure moves abroad.

“When you see the team of Nigeria, there is no Nigerian in the team because they all play abroad in big teams like Atalanta, AC Milan, Fulham, you name it and we don’t have that but you see that is not a disadvantage,” he said of his core group that comprises players from the Betway Premiership.

“We have good players, and I hope what we did with the national team, and what we will hopefully do in the future, that those players get the chance to go to Europe because that will help South African football.

“They will play in competitions that are a higher level than the PSL, here in South Africa and they will become better when they play in those competitions. So, let’s hope that the guys have the opportunity in the future, next season maybe, to do that and go and play abroad. It will be good for the national team and also for the national competition, for the national player.”

Broos was especially keen for Mbokazi to ply his trade abroad after playing a full 90 minutes in both the encounters against Lesotho and Nigeria.

He was also named "man of the match" following his assured performance against the Super Eagles.

“They have to go out. Maybe the PSL teams will not be happy to hear that but it has to happen. Look at a guy like Mbokazi. This guy has to go to Europe. He’s 19 years old, you see the way he’s playing it’s like he already has 10 years’ experience in this level. It’s his third game with the national team, you see how he plays. Let’s hope some players can make that step next year.”