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Moses Nigerian Dad Simon (L) is fighting for the ball with South Africa in South Africa during 2024. Year Semifinals of the match of Nigeria and South Africa in Bouai, 7. February 2024. (Photo: Anis / App / Nurphoto)
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For more than two decades, South Africa waited. Last time Buffana are boys He successfully booked his place in FIFA World Cup through the qualification in 2001. year, earned a place in the tournament in 2002. in Korea and Japan. Their look for 2010 year arrived at hosting virtue, not through the grind of the qualifier. As a result, the entire generation of Serbian African supporters was never witnessed by their team earning a place on merit. Now, under Hugo Broos, Buffana Buffana stands at the edge of the end of that long drought.
A stake in a group C
Buffana Buffana has a chance to provide his qualification for World Cup 2026. years, if Nigeria can be emphasized 9. September at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein
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Buffana Bafana will host Nigeria, knowing that victory could effectively eliminate the chances of super eagles for overturning group C, unless issues outside the field change the situation. Fifa has not yet confirmed whether South Africa will lose three points for the field of suspended Confines of Teboho Mokoen in their victory of 2-0 over Lesotha in March, which leaves the plane uncertain.
Currently South Africa has 16 points with seven matches, five points in front of Benin in second place. Nigeria is seated in third place with 10 points, which means that the victory could narrow the gap and keep hoping alive. If FIFA decides to impose docking points, the race could be significantly tightened, giving benin’s opportunity to take advantage.
Only the winners of the Group will qualify directly for the US World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, while four best runners will progress at playoffs to compete in intercontinental qualifications.
Broos: Focus and belief
Korhogo, Ivory Coast – 16. January: South African manager Hugo Broos directs his team during that Mali and South Africa in the Amadou Gon Coulibali Stadium, 16. January 2024. In Korhogoj, Ivory Coast. (Photo by MB Media / Getty Images)
Getti images
The day before the game, the coach of Hugo Broos adopted a decisive tone held on the day of the media.
“Six points in front of Nigeria, five points in front of Benin, it’s a good position,” he shared with forbes.com and other media. “But that’s not done. We need to play a very good game against a very good team, who may play the last opportunity tomorrow.”
He refused to settle for caution. “I don’t want a draw, I want to win. You can’t go into such games thinking about playing for one point. That’s dangerous.”
Broos ran concerns about the field and doubling like a rugby tone: “The terrain is not what we wanted, but it is also for both teams. We must adapt and play.”
Above all, he emphasized the transformation of his team’s mentality. “On a mental level, a very good job was done. The team is sure. We believe in yourself, and it will take us tomorrow.”
Williams: Brotherhood and belief
Topshot – South Africa’s goalkeeper # 1 Ronven Williams is celebrating at the end of the African football match between Cape Verde and South Africa at Yamoussoukrou. February 2024 (Photo Franck Fife / AFP) (photo Franck Fife / AFP) (Photo Franck Fife / AFP) (photo Franck Fife / AFP) (photo Franck Fife / AFP) (photo Franck Fife / AFP) (photo Franck Fife / AFP)
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Captain Ronven Williams They reinforced the message of unity and determination.
“We are a special group. Once you enter that, you feel love, brotherhood. It expelled us,” he said.
Williams praised the contribution of younger players: “The amount of young talent that passes is amazing. They are serious, focused and know what they want to achieve. But they also understand all the difference.”
The guard also underlined the importance of self-confidence. “We learned from the past. A few years ago, our destiny was in the hands of other teams. Now we want to do it our way. We want to do business.”
On Nigeria, Williams was respected, but confident: “We played them twice in the last two years. We know them and we have experience. We don’t know them and we have experience.
Nigeria: SMIRNA PRKS POD CHELLE
Nigeria arrives in Bloemfontein under pressure, but the design of calm. The chief coach of Eric Chelle, the task is to get ready to ship after recent tripping, he kept his maps close.
“Don’t think about how we played two days ago. Focus only tomorrow,” he said. “We respect South Africa, but we are here to compete.”
Chelle must also be worn with the loss of Star Striker Victor except, which was injured against Rwanda. Still, Nigeria still has a depth, with the new Volverhampton Vanderers Volorer Arocodara, achieving the winner in his victory of 1-0 over Rwanda.
Troost-Ekong gets backward against suspects
Abidjan, Ivory Coast – 11. February: William Trost-Ekong Nigeria reacts at the defeat of Nigeria and Ivory Nigeria, 11. February 2024. in Abidjana, Ivory Coast. (Photo Visionhaus / Getty Images)
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Captain William Troost-Ekong called the history of Nigeria while insisting that it was a fresh challenge. “What happened in Afcon It doesn’t matter now. This is a different competition, a different game. We have to reappear. “
The Nigerian Captain also pressed the idea that Super Eagles were ever connecting in their qualified campaign, even when they counted them outside the crease.
“Nothing has changed on our part. I feel like a lot of people now returned and started believing in us again, but we always believed in the team. Otherwise we would not move here.”
He emphasized unity in composition: “If there is one thing that I can now say about the team, it is the right fraternity. Fellowship, understanding, players who want to fight in the same direction. There is a true unity in the team.”
Shape and rivalry
Buffana Bafana enters this match on the back of 3-0 victory over Lesotha, where Aubrey Modiba was central to their attacking dominance. Meanwhile, Nigeria, Ivica Rwanda 1-0 to stay in the money.
The rivalry itself was firm. Three of the last four meetings was completed 1-1 after the regulation time, including the semifinals of AFCON in January 2024. year, where Nigeria prevailed in punishments. The only exception was the 2019 quarterfinal final. Year, when the three-eyed Ekong hit 89 minutes winner for super eagles.
Generational moment
Bloemfontein, South Africa – 22. June: South African Aaron Mokoena is waiting to set aside his team before Pefa in the South African group 2010, and in Mangaung / Bloemfontein, South Africa. (Photo Jamie Squire – FIFA / FIFA via Getty Images)
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For South Africa, more than three points on Tuesday. The chance is to reward the generation of supporters known only near missing and returning to the World Cup, because host in 2010. Years. It is about the protection of their proud tradition of the World Cup and prove to remain one of the great powers of Africa.
“We want to make history,” Williams declared. “We are entrusted. We are focused. We are ready.”
Broos was equally direct: “We have the opportunity. If we can, we will do it. But we don’t forget that Nigeria is a very good team.”
In the end, this is a legacy competition. For Bafana Bafana, victory would mark generational breakthrough – the ultimate certificate of belief, unity and resistance. For super eagles, it is a struggle to confirm their pedigree and show a continent that is still a force that will hide.
