…as South Africa likely to escape points deductions
South African Head Coach, Hugo Broos said though Nigeria’s Super Eagles may be down in fourth place in the Group C World Cup qualifiers, they still have the potentials to turn things around in the upcoming ties in September.
From six games so far, South Africa are six points clear ahead of the Super Eagles who must beat Rwanda September 5 at home and then hope for the three points in Bloemfontein September 9 against the Bafana Bafana to bounce back to reckoning.
South Africa lead the Group C table with 13 points, Rwanda and Benin have eight points apiece, while Nigeria is on seven points. Lesotho have six points and Zimbabwe are rock bottom with four points.
“We knew from the start that the team we had to beat is Nigeria,” Broos told IOL.
“Even though they started badly, they can still qualify.
“The biggest mistake the South African players can make is underestimating Lesotho. Remember this Lesotho team held Nigeria to a draw in Nigeria, so we must not make the mistake of underestimating them. We beat Lesotho before, so we must beat them again.”
Meanwhile, FIFA is unlikely to deduct points from South Africa after fielding ineligible Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho. This is because Lesotho failed to file a protest 24 hours after the game.
They are to play against Lesotho on September 5 before facing the Super Eagles.
