We are no longer afraid of anyone – Hugo Broos heaps praise on fearless Bafana

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance in their Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifier against Benin on Tuesday in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The victory significantly strengthens South Africa’s position in the race for qualification to next year’s global tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada.

Broos was full of praise for his players, acknowledging their tactical discipline and focused approach throughout the match. The Belgium-born coach has worked tirelessly to blend experience with youth over the years, creating a squad capable of competing at the highest level.

One of the most notable aspects of Bafana’s progress under Broos, has been the team’s growing confidence. Broos has instilled a sense of belief in his players, which is reflected in their performances.

“We are not scared anymore of who plays against us,” Broos said.

“The key is to continue working hard, just as we have done up until now. While we are in a good position, we still have work to do.

We need to avoid making mistakes, and if we do that, we are very close to qualifying for the World Cup,” he added.

The encounter was a crucial one for both teams, as they looked to improve their standings in the qualifying group. Broos emphasised that the key to his side's success lay in the players' ability to execute the pre-match strategy effectively.

“We did a good analysis of Benin before the game, and I think the players followed the instructions well,” said Broos, during the post-match press conference.

“We knew where we could hurt them, and we capitalised on those moments. It was important to remain patient, control the game, and wait for the right opportunities.”

While Benin are considered a solid side in African football, Broos believed that Bafana's clinical approacg alone was enough to overcome the West African nation.

“It was a good team, but we kept the ball well, which allowed us to control the game,” he explained.

"In the first half, we created some good opportunities, and in the second half, things became easier for us. Once we got the lead, I told my assistant coach that if we could get one more, the game would be over.

"That’s exactly how it turned out. We dominated possession, and we deserved the win."

Reflecting on his time in charge of Bafana Bafana, Broos acknowledged the difficulties he faced in his first year as coach, but also highlighted the progress made in building a more cohesive and competitive team.

“It was not easy in the first year. There were a lot of problems, but we kept working to find the right players for the right positions. I believe now we have a very good team,” he said.

Following the win, South Africa extended their lead at the top of the group. With 13 points, they have a five-point advantage over Benin, who remain on eight points. Rwanda, who drew with Lesotho, also have eight points, while Nigeria, following their draw with Zimbabwe, remain in fourth place with seven points.

Lesotho sit in fifth place with six points, while Zimbabwe, yet to win a match in the campaign, remain at the bottom with four points.