Disheartened Broos admits setback in World Cup qualification race but still clings to hope

Bafana slipped further behind Benin, who beat Rwanda 1-0 in Kigali last night, to go two points clear in Group C with only a game left in this round of qualifiers. 

It was a horrific night for Bafana, who had led this group for close to two years, and Broos admits that they now need favours.

"Tonight, it's a very sad night for us. We knew that the match would be tough and difficult but even then, I think we had chances to score, but luck was not with us today,” Broos said. 

“Certainly not the second half with the ball on the line and another one on the post, so we could have scored there and I'm sure we could have won the game. We played against a very motivated team who fought for every meter, every ball, a little strange but okay, that can happen and that shows again that our relations between those two teams are tense, certainly when they play against each other. 

“Now we don't have it in our own hands anymore, we have to try again to be ready for the game of Tuesday and try to win it and then see what happens. It's still possible but it becomes more difficult and before this game today we have to try to go on believing that maybe with a little miracle we can still qualify on Tuesday."

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This result leaves South Africa two points behind Benin, who have 17 points to Bafana’s 15 going to the last game, with a +3 goal difference ahead of Broos’ team. 

For Bafana to still stand a chance to qualify, they need Nigeria to at least beat Benin in the final group game in Uyo on Tuesday and win their game against Rwanda. 

A draw between the two West African teams could still be enough for Bafana, but this will require them to win by at least three goals. 

Broos says Nigeria’s situation gives them some hope.

"The situation becomes more difficult now than before this game but even then, it's not 100% lost, it can still happen. It will be very important what happens in the game between Nigeria against Benin, we will know what result will be there but on the other side we don't really have to look,” the coach added. 

“If we win the game, we'll see what happens and that is the most important thing. It will again not be easy, certainly not but again, it's possible, you have to believe.

“And I think we will be one or two days a little bit down but we'll do everything to have a team that will believe in themselves on Tuesday and we will try to win the game because now the goal difference will decide who goes to America or not."