Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos remains optimistic that Bafana Bafana can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a shock 2-0 defeat to Rwanda on Tuesday.
South Africa's bid for World Cup qualification suffered a dent thanks to first-half goals from Innocent Nshuti and Gilbert Mugisha on a dreadful and water-logged pitch at Huey Stadium.
Bafana offered an improved display in the second half but could not find the net against a defensively solid Rwanda side.
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However, Broos was adamant that it is still early days, with just two matches played in the qualifiers.
"It's only a defeat," Broos said, as per SAFA media.
"There are still eight games, so you play the bill in two years and we will see.
"In the first 25 minutes, we gave two presents, two goals. For the second goal, we had the ball and didn't keep it [as right-back Khuliso Mudau attempted to shield, but goalkeeper Ronwen Williams did not come to collect] and they scored.
"After that, we changed some things. We asked the boys to put a bit more pressure.
"Then you saw in the second half, Rwanda didn't come into the [Bafana's] 60 metres except for that shot (a save by Williams from Djihad Bizimana) and for the rest they defended. That has to be from the first minute.
"Our start was bad and we paid cash with two goals."
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The defeat sees Bafana drop to second in Group C of their qualifying group after matchday two.
Next for Broos and Co is Nigeria in February 2024, but before that, Bafana will participate in the Africa Cup of Nations set to kick-off in January 2024.
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