Broos close to getting his flowers as Bafana Bafana march closer to World Cup with Lesotho win

BAFANA BAFANA 3 (1)

Nkota 13’, Foster 63’, Appollis 67’

LESOTHO 0 (0)

In the country’s City of Roses, Hugo Broos – through the football gods and his united team – could smell his flowers and realise a childhood dream!

The Bafana Bafana coach guided his team to a comfortable 3-0 win over rivals Lesotho at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday night, taking a step closer to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The road to North America could be clearer and smoother by Tuesday night if Bafana beat arch-rivals Nigeria at this same venue. They are now top of Group C with 16 points, with three games to go.

Qualifying for the global showpiece would bring things full circle for the 73-year-old, as it would mark his return to the competition 40 years after playing in it on the same continent.

The Belgian-born coach displayed tactical ability, leadership, and bravery, hardly flinching when his back was against the wall – almost like a conductor leading an orchestra as the passionate stands echoed around him.

Broos showed he was in control, and with nerves of steel. He brushed aside Lesotho’s earlier threat to play the match under protest if Bafana dared to field Tebogo Mokoena, who had an ineligibility case hanging over him.

Once that was resolved, it was up to Broos’ “kids” to prove to their “father” that they were alright without many of their senior brothers. And boy, they heeded the call, playing with a maturity that should leave the Super Eagles trembling in their boots ahead of Tuesday’s clash.

The poor conditions – which may have added to Broos’ silver hair – didn’t interrupt Bafana. Perhaps SAFA’s CEO Lydia Monyepao and analyst Sinesipho Mali whispered their own “mini prayers” to the football gods during their unlikely pitch inspection, hoping Broos would get their flowers.

Bafana were already pumped up even before walking down the tunnel, with their national anthem blasting through the speakers as if it were a sign of victory.

When they eventually took the pitch, they dazzled, silencing the large Likuena support that outmuscled their faithful. And this is despite losing Broos’ golden child, Nyiko Mobbie, to a nasty head injury in just the second minute, replaced by debutant Zuko Mdunyelwa.

Sipho Mbule made his long-awaited return to the set-up and lived up to his “MasterChef” moniker in parts, dishing up some delicious passes. But the game was scrappy early on, with referee Dickens Nyagrowa struggling to control a feisty start from both sides.

Once play settled, Bafana got their rhythm and it wasn’t long before they hit the front. Against the run of play, Aubrey Modiba floated a clever ball behind Lesotho’s wall into the far end, where Mohau Nkota coolly slotted home at the first attempt.

Modiba embodied one of Broos’ trademarks with this team: stepping up to guide others. As the most senior player in a relatively young, new-look defence, he led with composure.

Bafana should have taken a bigger lead into the break but lacked penetration despite dominating.  What must have given Broos more silver hairs, though, was losing another defender, Thabo Moloisane, to another head injury early in the second half.

But Modiba was back at it, calming Broos’ nerves. Nkota whipped a cross across the face of goal, finding Modiba, whose powerful shot was parried back into play by goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane. Lyle Foster pounced on the rebound, tapping home.

The euphoria was too much for Broos to contain. When Foster turned his marker to put Oswin Appollis through on goal, the winger calmly slotted past Moerane. Broos turned to his bench, pumped his fist in the air, and wore a face of sheer delight! 

It might not be long before he smells his flowers, and realise a childhood dream!