Coach of the senior national team of South Africa Hugo Broos says the Super Eagles of Nigeria had no knowledge that they needed to beat Benin Republic 4-0 to finish among the best four runners up in the world cup qualifiers playoff, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Nigeria defeated Benin 4-0 in Uyo to book a spot in next month’s playoff, with South Africa securing the sole ticket in the group as winners to make it to the 2026 tournament with a 3-0 win over Rwanda on the final day.
South Africa were however hit with a three points deduction after fielding an ineligible player in Teboho Mokoena, and Broos admitted that it almost rocked their campaign.
He cited Nigeria’s win over Benin Republic as the result that help seal their spot at the tournament.
“I said a year ago or maybe more that Nigeria should help us and they helped us a little bit by doing what they had to do.
“But I was a little bit afraid because they were not really convincing during the qualifiers. They were convincing against Benin, but they started with three draws and a defeat.
“That was not Nigeria. I was a little bit afraid that Benin should not win. That was my fear, not that we shouldn’t win. Even with a victory against Rwanda, we were not sure to be qualified.”
The coach said it was clear that the Super Eagles didn’t know what the number of goals they needed finish among the best four runners up in all the groups.
“They did not know it before the game. We looked at all the scenarios and in certain cases we had to win with two goals difference.
“I said to the players before the game, ‘Don’t look too much, try to score two goals’. After five minutes we scored the first goal, and I knew we could score the second.
“At half-time the score in Nigeria was 2-0, and I said, ‘Okay, things done now’.”
