Broos targets six out of six for Bafana Bafana

Hugo Broos is looking for maximum points from ‘key’ Group G matches against Ethiopia in Bafana Bafana’s bid to qualify for the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.

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Bafana have got off to a good start on the field under Broos, even if off it the Belgian is unhappy with a variety of issues, the latest being Mamelodi Sundowns’ decision to send striker Thabiso Kutumela for a Covid-19 vaccination on the first day of the national team camp.

A draw in Zimbabwe and a win at home to Ghana have put Bafana in pole position in Group G, and home-and-away wins against Ethiopia would put them in a great position to win the group and make it into the final round of qualifying for Qatar.

Bafana will play Ethiopia in Bahir Dar, about 500kms north of the capital Addis Ababa, before the return match at FNB Stadium on Tuesday.

“These are two important games,” said Broos this week.

“When you play qualifiers for an Africa Cup of Nations or a World Cup, matches three and four are always key. They can be decisive matches, you can be out of the race or in a very good position. If we can win the two matches, Ethiopia will be out of the race, and then we will see what happens with Zimbabwe and Ghana (who play home and away over the same period).

“But it doesn’t only depend on us. If Ghana win (both matches) then we are only one point ahead of Ghana. But … we have to do everything to get six out of six from these two games.”

Broos believes such a result is possible if Bafana can play in the same way they did in the 1-0 win against Ghana at FNB Stadium, when a fine performance was capped by a late winner from Bongokuhle Hlongwane.

“For Ethiopia it is also whether they are in the race or out, so they will be fighting for it, and there will be people (fans in Ethiopia)), which is something new for all of us. It a long time since we played in front of the public. But this can also work against Ethiopia.

“So if we can play a game like we played against Ghana, with the same confidence and self belief, it is possible we can win in Ethiopia. When we see the behaviour of the players … in training, we are confident. The players have to believe.”