Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos outlined the national team’s plans ahead of crucial Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin this month.

Bafana currently sit on seven points in the group after their first four games, level with Rwanda and Benin in the top three ahead of Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

According to Broos, who spoke to reporters this week, the games against “neighbours” Lesotho and Zimbabwe could the most crucial for qualification.

“When you see our group, we have Nigeria – a top team in Africa. All the rest, with all due respect, you can’t say that those are top teams. But it is so difficult to play against those teams, especially Zimbabwe and Lesotho – they are our neighbours,” Broos said.

“You know what happens when neighbours play against each other, the teams that play against us want to beat us.”

“For them, this is their most important game, more important than when they have to play against Nigeria or Benin. So, therefore, they are very difficult games. The game against Lesotho is a must-win.”

Bafana will only have to leave the country once out of their next six games, with their game against Benin taking place in the Ivory Coast due to a lack of CAF approved stadiums in the West African country.

The last time South Africa played in the Ivory Coast, they returned home with an Afcon bronze medal. Broos is optimistic about being back there later this month.

“Benin is probably stronger than everyone thinks, and when you have to play them in Ivory Coast it becomes difficult. But we have good memories of Ivory Coast. We can be a little bit optimistic about that.”

Broos will name his squad this Thursday with the games taking place on 21 and 25 March in Polokwane and Abidjan respectively.

Pictured above: Hugo Broos

Source: @caf