14 November 2023 – Bafana Bafana will be gunning for success when they face Benin and Rwanda in back-to-back 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the coming days.
The team went into camp at the University of Pretoria on Monday 13 November 2023, but injury woes have had an impact on the team’s composition and frustrated coach Hugo Broos.
“This is not favourable, and not what we wanted, but this is what we have been dealt with. We need to win against the tough teams in these World Cup qualifiers, we want to do well and we want to win,” said Broos.
The players have also appealed to South Africans and to the members of the media to support Lyle Foster, who is taking a break to focus on his mental health. Foster is not part of the team in camp and Broos stated that the Burnley player’s omission was due to a medical problem
“We miss Lyle and know he won’t be here, but we send out our thoughts and prayers. He should know that we back him and we are behind him,” said Captain Ronwen Williams.
Vice-Captain Percy Tau said it was disheartening to see some of the negativity commentary circulating after Burnley confirmed that Foster is taking a break. “It’s hard when you see the negativity doing the rounds,” he said.
“We are human beings with feelings at the end of the day, and when you internalize and realize that it’s not really about you but more about people venting and taking their anger out in your name, it becomes hurtful. It is hard to be here, but at the end of the day this is our job, this is what we love to do and sadly it comes with the bad side.”
Sphephelo Sithole and Mihlali Mayambela arrived in camp on Tuesday morning, with Grant Kekana and Thapelo Maseko out due to injury.
Lebo Mothiba is injured and was replaced by Evidence Makgopa on Monday.
Bafana Bafana host Benin at the Durban venue on Saturday 18 November 2023 and the tickets are available for purchase at Ticketpro. General admission tickets are available at R50 (adults) and R20 (kids under 13 Years).
Please see the link for tickets available on the TicketPro website here: https://www.ticketpros.co.za/portal/web/index.php/event/249529dd-a998-790a-cafe-6549e8be61e4