'Still in the running' – Bafana Bafana coach backs Super Eagles to beat Rwanda, Zimbabwe in March

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has expressed his surprise at Nigeria’s struggles in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, backing the Super Eagles to bounce back in their upcoming matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Nigeria currently sits fifth in Group C with just three points after two rounds of matches, trailing South Africa and Rwanda, who both have four points more. 

Despite their slow start, Broos believes the Super Eagles will recover in the next international window.

"I am surprised that Nigeria are four points behind us because they have too much quality," Broos said, according to  ScoreNigeria.

"I believe they will come back by the next window (March).

"All the teams in our group are still in the running (to qualify for the World Cup)."

Nigeria began their qualification campaign with two disappointing results, drawing 1-1 at home to Lesotho before another 1-1 stalemate against Zimbabwe. These results have raised concerns about their chances of making it to the World Cup, but Broos remains confident in their ability to turn things around.

Broos’s comments come at a time when Nigeria is under immense pressure to revive their qualification hopes. The Super Eagles, known for their attacking strength and depth of talent, have struggled to find their rhythm in the qualifiers.

Their next opponents, Rwanda and Zimbabwe, have shown resilience, with Rwanda leading the group after an impressive 2-0 victory over South Africa. 

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe have also demonstrated their competitive spirit, holding Nigeria to a draw in their previous encounter.

With a squad featuring top European-based stars, including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi, expectations remain high for Nigeria. 

However, their inability to secure victories in their opening two games has led to growing frustration among fans.

While backing Nigeria to recover, Broos is also optimistic about South Africa’s chances of securing qualification. 

Bafana Bafana have made a strong start to their campaign, earning a hard-fought draw against Nigeria in Uyo before their setback against Rwanda.

Nigeria’s efforts to improve their qualification campaign will be overseen by newly appointed head coach Éric Chelle, who took charge of the team in January 2025. 

The 46-year-old, who was born in Côte d’Ivoire but represented Mali at the international level, has an extensive playing and coaching background in France and Africa.

Chelle previously led Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, demonstrating his tactical acumen.

His managerial experience, including stints at FC Martigues, Boulogne, and the Mali national team, suggests he could bring fresh ideas to the Super Eagles.

With Chelle at the helm, Nigeria will be looking for immediate improvements when they face Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March. 

Anything less than two victories could seriously damage their World Cup hopes, making these fixtures crucial for the Super Eagles’ journey to the 2026 tournament.

Wale Adejumo

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