Broos calm amid injury crisis as Bafana eye crucial World Cup qualifiers

Hugo Broos’ nonchalance in the face of a situation that should have him pulling out strands of his silver hair is further indication of just how good a coach Bafana Bafana have got.

The Belgian septuagenarian, who has restored South Africa to the top table of continental football, is on the verge of guiding the country back to the World Cup finals for the first time since 2010. But ahead of the penultimate round of qualifying, which sees African countries playing two matches each month, Broos finds himself forced to improvise, with injuries hampering his preparations.

Having already announced the squad to face both Lesotho and Nigeria in Bloemfontein on Friday and next Tuesday respectively, the Africa Cup of Nations winner has had to make adjustments.

At the mandatory arrivals media conference at Dobsonville Stadium on Monday, Broos initially cut a frustrated figure as he announced the enforced changes.

“It’s maybe one of the most difficult preparations I’ve had since I became coach of Bafana Bafana,” he explained.

"We have a lot of injuries, important players. (Nkosinathi) Sibisi is not there. (Ime) Okon is injured. Themba (Zwane) was playing, but you know he is injured. (S’phelele) Sithole played his first game and so can’t make it, (Grant) Kekana as well

As if that were not bad enough, Broos had to replace midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi with his Orlando Pirates teammate Sipho Mbule, having also called up Stellenbosch FC’s Moloisane to fill the gap left by Okon.

“We had to tell Maswanganyi to go home after the injury (Sunday in the match against Chippa United). We took that decision because we are not sure. We have no guarantee he will be ready for the matches. We can’t take that risk.

"His replacement is Sipho Mbule.

"Why Sipho Mbule?

"I think everybody agrees he is a player with many qualities. He is an experienced player and one who can play in that position.

"With Mbule, we have the right player in the right position. When he comes, I will have a little chat with him and tell him exactly what we need from him.”

The issue of the match venue change has also been a source of frustration, with FIFA and CAF instructing Lesotho that they cannot play at the Free State Stadium due to the pitch’s poor condition. That match will now take place at the Petros Molemela Stadium in Rocklands.

Frustrated as he is by these setbacks, Broos remained focused on the job at hand and exuded the kind of confidence that is likely to filter down into the team. He is confident Bafana can claim maximum points from the two matches and remain top of Group C.

With two further matches left to be played in October, victories over Likoena and the Super Eagles would put Bafana firmly on the road to the global showpiece, to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

“The game on Friday is a must win. We can’t afford to lose points against Lesotho,” he said.

“That does not mean I underestimate the opponent; that would be the biggest mistake we can make. We have to keep the pressure on our opponents.

"If we win on Friday, the job is done. It is up to our opponents to stop us. We put pressure on them. We have to make sure we win.”

The fact that Nigeria, arguably their biggest rival for the top spot despite the Super Eagles currently being in fourth place, play on Saturday against second-placed Rwanda, is an advantage, Broos added.

“If we win on Friday then they have to win on Saturday, and Rwanda cannot afford to lose if they are to keep their second position. It would be an ideal scenario. But we have to win.”

As he has done since he settled into the job following a shaky start that had him at loggerheads with many South African football fans, Broos talked up his team’s chances – a move that has seen the players giving their all to a coach who has their backs.

“I am confident. I know the quality of the players. We are still strong enough to beat Lesotho. But we have to be focused, be concentrated, to reach our best level. Let’s start fighting for every square metre on the pitch and try to win that game. Again, it should be a good situation for us.”