Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is a relieved man and has praised SAFA’s proactive measures ahead of the team’s trip to Nigeria amidst ongoing protests.
An indefinite strike in Nigeria that started on Monday, shutting down the country’s national power grid, adds another challenge to Bafana’s World Cup trip.
Bafana are scheduled to play their third 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday against the Super Eagles in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria. The match is set for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, and kick-off is at 21h00.
According to reports, the strike stems from a disagreement with the government over a new minimum wage, a demand the unions have advocated for since May 1.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria confirmed the grid shutdown, highlighting the strike’s significant impact on the nation’s infrastructure and economy.
Unions have vowed to continue their industrial action until their demands are met, raising concerns about prolonged disruptions to essential services.
The strike has also cast a shadow over South Africa’s national football team who are scheduled to travel to Uyo this week.
South African officials remain optimistic about the team’s travel plans. Football authorities in both countries are closely monitoring the situation, and contingency plans are being explored should the strike continue to disrupt match preparations.
WHY HUGO BROOS IS RELIEVED AHEAD OF UYO TRIP
Instead of taking the commercial route, which would mean flying to Lagos via Kigali and then connecting to Uyo, a 12-hour trip, the team will depart on Wednesday via a private charter. Broos has applauded SAFA for the move, saying it shows they understand the importance of the fixture.
“I’m very happy, really. I’m very happy that we have a charter. The past few weeks, we looked at possibilities and options, but taking a regular flight was not an option. You’re in the air for 20 hours with waiting times and so on,” Broos said.
He believes the difficult travel arrangements may have contributed to Rwanda’s 2-0 loss. The game was played at the Stade Huye in Butare, in the southern province of Rwanda. Bafana flew to Kigali and then took a three-hour road trip to Butare.
“Now we have a charter. You step on the plane, and six hours later, you’ve arrived…. I’m really happy, and I’d like to thank SAFA for the financial efforts they made. I know it’s not cheap. They understand the importance of the game and the importance of travelling in an easy way.”
South Africa have already played Benin and Rwanda in the 2026 qualifying campaign. They beat Benin in Durban before losing to Rwanda away. Bafana are currently second in Group C with three points, while Amavubi top the group with four points.
The Super Eagles, whom Bafana met at the AFCON, are third in the group with two points. Bafana and the Super Eagles played a 1-1 draw at the AFCON earlier this year. The match was settled after a penalty shootout.
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