South Africa’s Coach Confident Despite Possible 3-Point Penalty

South Africa’s national team head coach, Hugo Broos insists there is nothing to worry about regarding three points’ deduction that his team looks likely to suffer in FIFA’s board room, as he believes they will still hold an advantage over Nigeria in their 2026 World Cup qualification group.

Sports247 reports that Bafana Bafana are likely to be punished for using an inelligible player in their home game versus Lesotho but, with the same country playing their home matches on South African soil, Broos believes the deducted points can be quickly regained by his team.

Ironically, after playing ‘away’ to Lesotho in Bloemfontein this Friday, Bafana Bafana will host Nigeria at the same venue four days later, and the 73-year-old Broos believes his team will win both games.

He, however, raised eyebrows about the rationale behind FIFA punishing South Africa for an offence that the opponents, Lesotho did not complain about, and pointed out that Nigeria only lodged a protest as an afterthought.

The Belgian tactician stated rhetorically, “We don’t have to think about it. When the decision goes, it’s okay, we’ll lose three points. So well, we’ll lose three points.

“But, I ask, ‘How can you punish someone when there is no complaint?’ It’s not even Lesotho that is pushing. No, Lesotho did not make a complaint.”

Broos, who previously coached Cameroon and a couple of clubs in Algeria, admitted that no one in his team remembered that the player in question should have missed the clash with Lesotho, but insisted that there need not be a punishment without an initial protest.

He argued further, “I have to be honest. We didn’t know it. Lesotho didn’t know it either. That’s why there was no complaint from them. So, what is Nigeria doing for them?

“I understand them, though, because they would have an opportunity to come three points closer to us. But, seeing what we have done up to now, why should we start doubting? Why should we be worried and afraid?

“We won all the games we had to win. We got a good result in Nigeria and we won in Benin. So, why are we being worried now about three points?

“If it happens like that, we should just take it that way, and then we’ll have to fight on the pitch to qualify. Finish!”

He concluded with a declaration that his focus for now is solely on ensuring that Bafana win both upcoming games in Bloemfontein against Lesotho and Nigeria to keep themselves in pole position for the group’s single automatic ticket to USA/Canada/Mexico 2026.

“I don’t think about (three points deduction). I just focus on the game against Lesotho, and after it, I turn the focus on the game with Nigeria.

“Let’s wait and see what the results will be. But I know now that we are in a very good position, and we have to try to keep that position,” Broos affirmed.

Sports247.ng