South Africa coach Broos warns players, and boardroom battles loom

Johannesburg: South Africa coach Hugo Broos has warned his squad ahead of a key 2026 World Cup qualifier against Benin on Tuesday, while boardroom battles are looming in two other groups.

“No one is guaranteed a regular starting place. We are a family of 23, not 11,” said the 72-year-old Belgian before the Group C leaders face second-placed Benin in Abidjan. Broos added that youngsters Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams, the scorers in a 2-0 win over Lesotho on Friday, may not start the matchday six fixture.

“Lesotho were the right opponents for them to start, but maybe not Benin,” added the former defender who helped Belgium finish fourth at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Meanwhile, after FIFA overturned a ban on Equatorial Guinea star Emilio Nsue, the central Africans are demanding that the forfeiture of victories over Namibia and Liberia be reversed.

Should their appeal succeed, the Equatoguineans, who had 1-0 victories altered to 3-0 losses, would rise from fifth to second in Group H, which Tunisia lead. FIFA believed 2024 African Cup of Nations Golden Boot winner Nsue was ineligible as he was born in Spain. However, anyone born to an Equatoguinean parent automatically becomes a citizen.

In Group E, there is uncertainty after the unexplained pre-qualifying withdrawal of Eritrea and the suspension of Congo Brazzaville over government interference. If Congo drop out, a mini-league led by 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco would be reduced to four teams and six matches each, whereas rivals for runners-up places would play 10 times.

While the nine group winners automatically qualify for the 2026 tournament, the four best-ranked runners-up go into play-offs, which could lead to Africa securing an additional place. Average points per game might be the solution. Some national leagues used the system during Covid-19, including Major League Soccer.

AFP Sport highlights five of the 25 matchday six qualifiers as the struggle for tournament places intensifies. Broos believes Benin having to host the top-of-the-table showdown in the Ivory Coast because they lack a FIFA-approved stadium will “help a little”. But South Africa, many of whose players are slightly built, have often struggled on the road against physically powerful opponents like Benin. South Africa will hope for more from Burnley forward Lyle Foster than he achieved against Lesotho while former Premier League striker Steve Mounie leads the Benin attack.