Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has left no stone unturned in his quest for success against Benin on Tuesday.
After a standout performance in the Fifa 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho on Friday, Broos said he is ready to make tough decisions regarding who will play against Benin. Under his guidance, the squad has blended youthful exuberance with seasoned experience. If necessary, he will make bold choices to harness the depth of talent within the team.
"No player is guaranteed a regular starting place. We are a family of 23, not 11," said Broos, as he fended off waves of euphoria following the impressive displays by rookies Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams.
Their talents captivated both supporters and critics, who have recognised the potential these young players bring to the national side.
Broos praised their performances but stressed the crucial importance of a strong team dynamic. By emphasising that Bafana Bafana is a ‘family of 23’, he is fostering a competitive spirit that ensures every player feels invested in the team's success. Every squad member has a role to play, and no position is secure.
There is also the risk of complacency, as the team moved to the top of Group C in the CAF World Cup qualifiers for the first time following their victory over Lesotho. Broos is guarding against this, sending a powerful message that focus and discipline are essential to securing a positive result.
A win against Benin will strengthen their position at the top of the table and send a strong message to the rest of the Group C teams, who are acutely aware that only the group winners will qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Apart from South Africa, ranked 59th in the world, the other five teams in Group C are Nigeria (30th), Benin (97th), Zimbabwe (122nd), Rwanda (131st), and Lesotho (149th). Despite its lowly ranking, Benin has defeated African heavyweights like Nigeria and Ivory Coast (38th) in various competitions over the past year.
Benin does not have a CAF-approved stadium and have chosen to play at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in neighbouring Ivory Coast. Broos said this move would “help a little”, as hosts Benin will also be playing away from home.
Bafana Bafana are familiar with the 33 000-seater stadium in Abidjan, having defeated the DRC (6-5 on penalties) there to secure third place at AFCON in 2024). Benin played two home qualifiers at the venue.
In their only previous head-to-head clash, Bafana defeated Benin 2-1 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in November 2023, when both teams kicked off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaigns. Khuliso Mudau and Percy Tau scored first-half goals, and both players are in the squad to face Benin again.
However, the road to the World Cup is littered with challenges, and Benin will pose a formidable test. The team will also need to overcome the psychological hurdles associated with playing away from home.
“It is up to us now to maintain our position at the top of the standings. We must not make silly mistakes against Benin in Ivory Coast,” said Broos, adding that while the team’s position is favourable, it remains precarious.
“This is a good situation, but we must prepare ourselves properly for Benin.”
Cape Times