A well-rested Bafana Bafana graced the Free State Stadium pitch for their final practice session on Monday ahead of their Group C 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier match against Zimbabwe on Tuesday evening.
The clash between Bafana and the Warriors will get under way at 6pm in what is expected to be a match to remember.
South Africa has had a bit of time to catch breath in the City of Roses after a taxing travel schedule to and from Nigeria a few days ago.
Bafana experienced a flight delay of at least five hours before taking off late on Wednesday last week, despite having arranged a charter flight to and from Nigeria.
This led to the team being forced to spend the night in Port Harcourt International Airport before proceeding to Uyo the following day.
A win against Zimbabwe is possible
However, the bad travel conditions did not have any negative impact on their clash against the Super Eagles, as they produced a stellar performance, especially in the first half, to clinch a crucial point away from home.
Ahead of the encounter against Zimbabwe, who sit at the bottom of Group C, coach Hugo Broos briefly took time to share the team’s experience on the road.
“I believe in my team, and I believe they can perform,” Broos said during a press conference at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Monday.
“If we play the game the way we did on Friday [against Nigeria], taking travel into consideration, then I believe a win is possible against Zimbabwe.”
Broos was complimentary of players who are eager to fight for their places in the team that is bidding to qualify for the next edition of the Fifa World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Last-minute call-up
Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs defender Given Msimango said Bafana did what they needed to do against the Super Eagles.
Msimango also shared how he felt when he received a last-minute call-up after Grant Kekana was forced to withdraw due to injury.
“The travel was tough, but the game was going to go ahead anyway, so we kept our focus. It’s about the football at the end of the day,” Msimango said.
“When the call came [from Broos], I was on vacation with my wife, and I got the news that I needed to report for camp because there had been an injury to Grant.
“I was very happy; it did not matter the circumstances of the call-up. For me, the most important thing was to be part of the group, to learn, grow, and be part of the experience Bafana have had.
“I was more than happy to drop everything and represent my country.”
