South Africa’s head coach, Hugo Broos, has downplayed the recent decision by FIFA to deduct three points from Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player in one of their victories against Lesotho during the qualifiers.

The 73-year-old Belgian tactician expressed mild disappointment but remained optimistic about his team’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of South Africa’s crucial tie against Zimbabwe on Friday, Broos said the team’s morale remains high and their confidence intact.

“I was a little bit disappointed when the three points were deducted and some people started doubting that we could qualify for America,” Broos said.
“I never understood that because we were not beaten on the pitch. If we were beaten by Lesotho or Nigeria and then they deduct three points, I would understand the doubts. But we played a good game against Nigeria, won against Lesotho and other games—so why should we start doubting now?”

Broos added that he had spoken to his players to remind them that their fate is still in their hands.

“Everything stays the same. The only thing is that if we still had those three points, we could have been qualified with a victory over Zimbabwe.”

Despite the setback, Broos assured South Africans that qualification remains achievable, emphasizing that the team is focused on securing all available points in their remaining fixtures.

Opinion: Broos’ Calm Is Exactly What South Africa Needs

If there’s one thing that stands out about Hugo Broos, it’s his composure in chaos. Many coaches might have panicked or shifted blame after a decision as frustrating as a FIFA points deduction — but Broos chose confidence over complaint.

His calm message to the fans and players reflects experience and leadership. He knows that football is often decided as much by mindset as by skill. The truth is, Bafana Bafana have been showing steady improvement — competing fiercely against the likes of Nigeria and proving that they’re no longer pushovers on the African stage.

Yes, losing three points hurts, but as Broos implied, the fight isn’t over unless they give up. What South Africa needs now is unity — players, fans, and federation — all believing in one goal.

If the team plays with the same hunger they’ve shown in recent months, those lost points might just become the motivation that fuels their greatest comeback story.