Big Boost for Super Eagles as South Africa face setback in World Cup qualifier against Nigeria

Big Boost for Super Eagles as South Africa face setback in World Cup qualifier against Nigeria

Hassan Abdulsalam 11:58 - 05.06.2024

Coach Hugo Broos has replaced Kekana who is ruled out with a hamstring injury by Kaizer Chiefs' Spiwe Msimango.

The Super Eagles have been handed a big boost after Bafana Bafana Star defender Grant Kekana was ruled out of the World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.

Coach Hugo Broos has replaced Kekana, who is ruled out with a hamstring injury, with Kaizer Chiefs' Spiwe Msimango according to Goal.

PAY ATTENTION: Join Pulse Sports Nigeria Whatsapp Channel

'My team is better than Super Eagles' - South Africa coach

Broos still feels his team was superior in their AFCON semi-final loss to Nigeria while he expressed confidence, his claim of an easy victory for South Africa on Friday might be seen as overly optimistic.

“Let’s go to Nigeria and Zimbabwe and qualify for the World Cup. Everybody knows that every one of us wants to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2026, but we are in front of two very tough games.

He confirmed that the qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe are a must-win for his team as they will show fighting spirit in the games.

“First of all, Nigerian AFCON finalists are players who are playing in the best competitions in Europe. On the other side, we saw what we could do against them at AFCON; if we had a little bit of luck against them, we would be in the final and not Nigeria.

“I think we were the best team in the semifinals; we could have won that. So we don’t have to be afraid.

“The other game against Zimbabwe is different. It’s a game between neighbors. I think that Zimbabwe, after the ban, will have another team with another coach. So, from that side, it will be a difficult game.

“But if you see our performances of the last six months, the game in Algeria, where we did a very good game, we have to be confident, and we have to believe in our chances.

“And I know that some people say that ‘against Algeria, you received three goals’. But the two goals were the individual mistakes. So for me, the three goals we conceded are not so important,” Broos told Farpost.

Nigeria will host South Africa on Friday, June 7th at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo by 8pm.

Tags: