Mbekezeli Mbokazi reveals: What Hugo Broos said to Bafana troops before Nigeria clash
Hugo Broos motivated Bafana Bafana to a crucial 1-1 draw against Nigeria in their FIFA World Cup qualifier, maintaining their lead at the top of the group despite potential FIFA sanctions. Picture: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix
Image: Phakamisa Lensman/BackpagePix
After delivering a man of the match performance in Bafana Bafana’s 1-1 draw in their FIFA World Cup qualifier with Nigeria on Tuesday, defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi revealed how coach Hugo Broos motivated his troops.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, as South Africa now cling to a three-point lead on 17 points at the top of their group. Benin are third on 14 points, with Nigeria in third on 11 points, ahead of Rwanda on goal difference.
Of course, South Africa have a cloud hanging over them as FIFA is yet to rule on Bafana fielding the ineligible Mokoena during a match earlier in their campaign against Lesotho.
Still, the draw against Nigeria may prove to be a pivotal point.
Mbokazi Reflects on Team's Determination and World Cup Hopes
“First of all, thank you to the coach and the technical team. They told us that we should go and fight, we must be strong and try to get a win,” Mbokazi told SABC Sport.
“When we walked on the pitch, we motivated each other, no one is going to do it for us, it’s noisy and loud, we won’t hear the coach. What we have to do, we have to fight, that’s what helped us today.
“Today’s result; we are so happy because there are many chances that we will go to the World Cup, even in the coming games we should win like this so that everything can be easy. This was the tough game that we knew we had to fight, we came wanting a win or a draw, but we knew we were not going to lose. We are happy with the draw.”