South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to secure a FIFA World Cup spot despite recent sanctions from the football governing body.

On Monday, September 29, FIFA handed down a severe punishment to Bafana Bafana for fielding Teboho Mokoena, who was deemed ineligible in the World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho.

South Africa was hit with a three-point deduction and a three-goal penalty.

The sanctions caused Bafana Bafana to relinquish the top spot in Group C, with Benin Republic moving to the top on goal difference.

Speaking at a press conference after announcing his squad for the last two qualifier matches, Broos stated that the punishment had not changed the team’s approach, as they still needed to win their final two games even before the points deduction.

“I know everything that happened in the last two weeks, but we’re still alive. Nothing has changed. After the game against Nigeria, we were three points ahead. We still had to win our last two games.

“Why should I believe Benin will win their last two games and we won’t? I don’t understand why people are starting to doubt and say we can’t qualify anymore.”

WDN