Hugo Broos faces crucial squad call as Bafana Bafana chase World Cup dream

In a coaching career spanning more than three decades, it's safe to say Hugo Broos has been around the block. He even has the silver hair to show for his longevity.

But despite his wealth of experience, the Belgian tactician is expected to be tested on Thursday afternoon when he announces his final squad selection for Bafana Bafana’s crucial 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

Bafana will face Zimbabwe in their penultimate qualifier at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, followed by Rwanda in the final qualifier at Mbombela Stadium next Tuesday.

They can’t afford to falter in these two games, especially after being docked three points and handed a 3-0 defeat by a one-member panel FIFA’s disciplinary committee this week. The punishment followed their use of ineligible player Teboho Mokoena in an earlier home qualifier against Lesotho.

That sanction was a tough pill to swallow, as Bafana relinquished their top spot in Group C, dropping to second place on goal difference behind leaders Benin — although both teams are tied on 14 points.

But all is not lost. Bafana can still qualify for the global showpiece — which will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico — either by finishing top of the group or through the gruelling playoff route.

To finish first in the group, Bafana must win both games and score more goals than Benin. Alternatively, they could finish top if Benin slip up against Rwanda or Nigeria, provided Bafana win both their matches.

The playoff route won’t be easy. Bafana would need to finish as one of the four best runners-up from CAF to qualify for the intercontinental playoff spot.

Given their progress in the qualifiers, and the seemingly easier path, the team — and every passionate Bafana supporter — will want to finish top of Group C and return to the global stage for the first time since the 2002 tournament in South Korea/Japan.

Broos and the nation know it’s possible. But the 73-year-old still has to put his head on the block and select the warriors he believes will go into battle and deliver the much-needed triumph for the team and the country.

Granted, Bafana are expected to beat both Zimbabwe and Rwanda. They defeated the Warriors 3-1 in the first leg at Toyota Stadium last June, while the 2-0 loss to Rwanda was considered justifiable due to the poor quality of the artificial pitch used in that match.

But they can’t read too much into past results. Zimbabwe may be out of the running for a World Cup spot, but they could play spoiler for their neighbours. Coach Michael Nees has assembled a strong final squad, including familiar PSL names such as Knowledge Musona, Khama Billiat, and captain Marshall Munetsi.

Rwanda are still mathematically in the race for qualification. Sitting fourth on the log and just three points behind Benin, they are expected to arrive in Mbombela with fire in their bellies.

Still, given Broos' experience, South Africans will trust him to assemble a team strong enough to deliver both him and the nation to the promised land.

The veteran coach has expressed his desire to complete the full circle of his football journey — coaching Bafana at the World Cup in America, exactly 40 years after he played in the 1986 edition.

And so, all eyes will be on him Thursday afternoon when he announces the squad that could either make or break Bafana Bafana’s qualifying campaign.