BROOS: THIS IS A BIG ONE

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: ZIMBABWE CLASH IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR BAFANA

- Jonty Mark

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has stressed the importance of victory over Zimbabwe on Friday, as his side look to put themselves back in pole position to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup finals.

The deduction of three points by Fifa for fielding an ineligible player Teboho Mokoena in their Group C qualifier against Lesotho in March has left Bafana's position more precarious than it should be.

In second place in Group C, they trail Benin on goal difference, and lead Nigeria and Rwanda by just three points, heading into the final two fixtures of the qualifying campaign.

Only the winners of the group are guaranteed a place in the US, Canada and Mexico next year.