South Africa’s national team will look to take another big step toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup tonight when they meet Lesotho in Bloemfontein.

For head coach Hugo Broos, this is more than just a local derby – it is a must-win fixture in the qualification race.

Pressure in Group C

Bafana Bafana currently sit on top of Group C with 13 points, keeping them ahead of Rwanda and Benin (8 each), Nigeria (7), Lesotho (6) and Zimbabwe (4). Their commanding position was strengthened by a 2–0 victory over Benin earlier in the campaign, but Broos has stressed that the margin for error is slim. Addressing the media at a pre-match press conference, the coach underlined the importance of the contest: “We have to win the game tomorrow. I see a very motivated group. They’ll fight for every metre from the first whistle to beat Lesotho. I think we are ready.”

His message was simple: focus on the result and keep qualification firmly on track.

Familiar Foes

The two sides are no strangers to one another. In March, South Africa recorded a 2–0 win over Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium, with Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams finding the net. That result offered a measure of confidence, but Broos has warned his team that neighbours always raise their game in fixtures like this.

Press Conference Tension

The build-up to tonight’s encounter has been overshadowed by a dispute around Teboho Mokoena’s suspension. Lesotho officials had suggested the player was fielded incorrectly in the March match and even hinted at lodging a protest. Broos, however, was in no mood to indulge those claims. At the press conference, he brushed the matter aside with a sharp response: “I am not used to reacting to nonsense and I will not do it here today, thank you.”

It was a clear signal that the coach has no interest in distractions and wants his team fully locked in on the game.

Preparation and Squad

Bafana assembled in camp at the start of the week to prepare for the Lesotho fixture and their next test against Nigeria. Broos named his squad at the end of August, opting for a balance of regular internationals and emerging talents. Several players who starred against Benin are expected to feature once again, as Broos seeks continuity and discipline. Training sessions this week were reported to be intense, with an emphasis on sharpness and tactical structure.

The Bigger Picture

Broos’s handling of the press conference summed up his mindset: ignore the noise, block out distractions, and keep the squad’s energy channelled into the pitch. With the World Cup still within reach, Bafana Bafana cannot afford to stumble at this hurdle. For South Africa, tonight is about showing authority, seizing control early, and keeping their qualification dream very much alive.