After achieving his goal of securing six points in two FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has hailed the fact that he can make changes and still get the desired results.
Bafana went into the two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, against Lesotho and Benin, without the likes of Themba Zwane, Patrick Maswanganyi, Aubrey Modiba and Mothobi Mvala, the players who would probably have been part of the squad had they been available.
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But Broos has widened his pool of players, allowing him to effortlessly make changes that do not have a negative impact on the squad. The players he often introduces into the squad are able to fit in and make a mark, as was the case with the likes of Fawaaz Basadien, Relebohile Mofokeng, Thalente Mbatha, Jayden Adams and Siyabonga Ngezana as Bafana recorded back-to-back 2-0 victories, over Lesotho and Benin.
"We needed some time to make that group. In the beginning, it was not easy. The first year was a lot of problems, but we went on looking for the right players in the right positions. We found them and I think now we have a very good team. We can change players without the level decreasing. That means we are strong. We have to be confident and not be afraid of anyone else who plays against us," Broos told the media after Bafana beat Benin in Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
"We have to work and not think everything is done. We are in a good position now. If we don't do stupid things, we are very close to qualification for the World Cup."
The victory over Benin saw Bafana opening up a five point lead at the top of the standings, but there's still the Teboho Mokoena saga threatening to affect the team. Mokoena was left out after it was revealed that he may have been eligible to feature against Lesotho last Friday, as he went into the game carrying two yellow cards from previous World Cup qualifiers, on matchday one and matchday four.
READ: Bafana At Risk Of Losing Points For Mokoena Error?
It's understood that FIFA World Cup qualifying rules say that a player carrying two yellow cards from a separate match should serve a one match suspension. The game against Lesotho is the one Mokoena was meant to have sat out and the national team will now have to wait to hear what FIFA decides on the matter, with the possibility of a points deduction.
A three points deduction would still leave Bafana on top of the standings, but there would be less room for error.
Asked on the matter of Mokoena, Broos said: "I won't give a comment about that. We will wait and see."
