Why Hugo Broos sees Lesotho clash as must-win | OneFootball

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Broos expains significance of claiming Lesotho scalp

Photo: Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has explained why he views the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Lesotho as a must-win match.

The South African national team will square off against their neighbors on Friday, 05 September (18h00), at the Free State Stadium, before facing Nigeria four days later at the same venue.

While many are concerned about the clash against the Super Eagles, the 72-year-old Belgian mentor urged his troops to enhance their qualification chances at the expense of Lesotho.

“The game of Friday is a game of must win, we can’t afford ourselves to lose points against Lesotho, and that doesn’t mean that I underestimate that opponent, that is the biggest mistake we can make – to think that it’s only Lesotho and we will win,” said Broos.

“Lesotho players won in Nigeria last year, they are our neighbors, and you know how neighbors are, so we have to be careful, we have to keep the pressure on our opponents – when we win the game on Friday the job is done.

Broos says claiming maximum points over Lesotho will put pressure on their group rivals, particularly Nigeria, who are currently in fourth place with seven points accumulated after six games.

“It will then be up to our opponents to do the job better than us or be as good as we were. At least we would have put pressure on them, that is something we have to try, to be in that position,” added the Bafana boss.

“Nigeria is only playing Saturday, so that means if we win on Friday there will be a big pressure on their shoulders because then they have to win against Rwanda. On the other hand, Rwanda doesn’t have to lose or may not lose to keep their second place.

“So, it would be an ideal position for us, but first of all we have to win [against Lesotho] even with everything [Lesotho case against Mokoena] that’s happened in the last few weeks I’m confident. I know the qualities of our players; we are still strong enough to beat Lesotho.

“But again, we have to be focused, we have to be concentrated, we have to reach our best level, and we have to fight.