2026 WCQ: South Africa will qualify despite 3 points deduction – Broos mocks Nigeria, Lesotho

South Africa coach, Hugo Broos, has reacted to the deduction of three points from Bafana Bafana by the football governing body, FIFA.

South Africa will play Zimbabwe in their first two remaining qualifying games on Friday before facing Rwanda next week.

Prior to the last qualifying games, FIFA released a statement announcing that three points have taken from South Africa for fielding ineligible player against Lesotho in one of their victories .

Addressing his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Zimbabwe, Broos said the news came with a little disappointed to him.

“I was a little bit disappointed when the three points was deducted and some people started doubting that we could qualify for America,” he said.

“I never understood that because we were not beaten on the pitch. But if we were beaten by Lesotho or Nigeria and they deduct three points, if then you started doubting then I understand.

“But now we played a good game against Nigeria, won against Lesotho and other games, why should we start doubting now.

“There’s no reason to do that and I told it to the players this week. Don’t think those opponents are now twice better than two months ago.

“Everything stays the same, the only thing if we could have three points till now, we could have been qualified with a victory over Zimbabwe.”

Broos, 73, assured South African fans that they will make it to the World Cup despite the situation starting with a victory over Zimbabwe on Friday.