Picture: Bafana Bafana players ready to face Rwanda/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
Bafana Bafana endured a 10-hour journey from Johannesburg to Butare, Rwanda ahead of today’s crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the East-Central African country. South African senior men’s national team coach, Hugo Bross bemoaned the strenuous traveling that was involved and was also not happy with the state of the pitch the team encountered on arrival.
“It is not only the flight, but the three-hour bus trip to Butare. When I looked at the images of Huye Stadium, the pitch was poor. Let us just make good decisions for traveling and for playing. The trip was taxing on the whole team, but at the end of the day they are professionals and the game needs to be played on Tuesday.
“I think now with the group we have, it is not such a problem. The team wants to go far in the World Cup and they will go far. They all know these type of situations and through it all the mind-set, remains positive and I know my team will be ready,” said Broos.
He further said on this type of pitch (synthetic pitch) and its new generation, they have had some experience on it. Broos added that, but, this one they are going to play on today is badly maintained and the bounce of the ball is different.
“It’s going to be fighting football today. We need 11 warriors on that pitch and we are not thinking about good, nice football – we are thinking about fighting football. Mothobi Mvala, Aubrey Modiba and Evidence Makgopa have injuries and whether they will be ready on game-day remains the main test ahead of the match.
“I believe that I have found my team and they are playing good football. Khuliso Mudau, who scored in the 2-1 win against Benin in the opening FIFA World Cup qualifier in Durban on Saturday, is full of confidence ahead of the meeting with Rwanda,” he said.
Mudau said: “I believe that we can win today. The confidence that I needed was instilled in me by the coach and I hope I’m able to give my best once again when I take to the pitch. I’m always here to make a difference and to assist my team where I can”
Meanwhile, the game will be played at the 20 000-seater Huye Stadium and kick off is at 3pm (both SA time and Rwanda time).
The Guardian 