2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Broos remains cautious as Bafana take on Lesotho

Photo Credit - Bafana Bafana - South Africa.

South Africa national team coach Hugo Broos has warned his charges not to underrate Lesotho, whom they face in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo, on Friday.

The Belgian tactician said some of the surprise results that have come during this round of qualifiers have highlighted that nothing can be taken for granted and no team can be underestimated. He gave an example of the Cameroon and Eswatini, which ended in a 0-0 draw, insisting no team should be taken for granted in the qualifiers.

“Everyone is fit for tomorrow (Friday), for this difficult and tough game. It has become a habit here in Africa that you’re never sure about victory before the game,” said Broos as quoted by SAFA website.

“We saw it yesterday (Thursday) in the qualifier between Cameroon and Eswatini, it ended 0-0. On Friday, we have an opponent that we cannot underestimate because they played in September against Morocco. They lost 1-0 in the 93rd minute.

“They played more than a year ago in Nigeria and it was 0-0. So, that means we have a tough game in front of us tomorrow. On the other hand, I think we have to also be confident in our own qualities. We showed that last year.”

Lesotho coach Leslie Notsi touched on the bragging rights ahead of the fixture: “Since we’re neighbours, there are those bragging rights we are always fighting for, if I can use the word fighting. But it always brings out that rivalry, the sporting rivalry, and we believe South Africa are the bigger country in terms of the socio-economic conditions.

“The domestic league (in SA) is also bigger than ours, but at the same time we always believe we can get something from the game when we play against them, and this makes the fixture interesting.”

South Africa are lying third in the group with seven points while Likuena are fourth on five points.