Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has shared his thoughts on facing Nigeria without their top striker Victor Osimhen on Friday night.
South Africa and the Super Eagles will clash in an important 2026 FIFA World Cup group C match at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
A win for Bafana Bafana could all but confirm their spot in next year’s tournament. A win for the West African side could also revive their hopes of securing qualification.
However, Nigeria enters this match without one of their most important players, Victor Osimhen.
The Galatasaray star has been ruled out of the match due to a shin injury sustained during Nigeria’s match against Rwanda on Saturday. The 26-year-old did not travel with the rest of the squad to South Africa.
WHAT HUGO BROOS SAID ON FACING NIGERIA WITHOUT STAR PLAYER VICTOR OSIMHEN
“We also have injuries, and I think even [Victor] Osimhen is a good striker. But I think there are a lot of possibilities for the coach [Éric Chelle] to replace him,” said Broos.
Broos has also emphasised the importance of having a strong mentality ahead of the match on Tuesday.
BAFANA BAFANA COACH INISISTS HIS PLAYERS NEED TO BE IN A STRONG MENTAL STATE AGAINST SUPER EAGLES
“You know I said it on Friday after the game [against Lesotho] that we did a very good job on a mental level on Friday because it’s not easy to play that game with all the nonsense that has been said,” he added.
“So that means that the team is also mentally strong, and we will need that on Tuesday as well. We believe in ourselves, and we are confident, and again, we will try to beat Nigeria.
“We have a chance to do it, but I have been in football long enough to say that it is not certain because Nigeria is also a very good team.”
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