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JOHANNESBURG. — Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has called for one final push for his side as they prepare to face Zimbabwe and Ghana in their last two 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. 

Four points from the two games will be enough to see Bafana advance to the next round. 

But, the team were dealt a blow on Monday when midfielder Yusuf Maart had to be withdrawn from the squad through injury.

He has been replaced by Jesse Donn from Kaitano Tembo’s SuperSport United for the games against Zimbabwe, at FNB Stadium tomorrow, and versus the Black Stars in Cape Coast, on Sunday. 

“We are at the final stage now of the qualifiers,” Broos told reporters. “There is no turning back now, it’s either we qualify for the next round or it’s finished. 

“So, it’s a different situation two the other two camps we had. 

“If we pull off two wins, we are in the next round. But it’s simpler to say it than it is to do, so the most important thing for us to do is to win against Zimbabwe. 

“Let’s focus on the Zimbabwe match, which will be a tricky game, especially when you see the selection. 

“There are some key players who are not part of the squad, so I think the coach chose to maybe prepare his team for the upcoming Afcon. 

“So, when you give players a chance to prove themselves I know they will do it because I know how important it is for an African player to feature at an AFCON tournament. 

“We have to be ready because we have to win this game, it will give us a comfortable situation where the pressure stays with Ghana.” 

Bafana lead the Black Stars by a point and a win over Zimbabwe, coupled with a shock loss for Ghana against Ethiopia at the Orlando Stadium, will see South Africa go into the final pool game, with top spot secured. 

That would put them into March’s play-off round where they will come up against one of the continent’s leading teams in home and away knock-out qualifiers. 

Former Bafana captain, Neil Tovey, says the players must not allow the burden of expectation to weigh heavily on them. 

“It is a big week for South African football. The football fraternity needs some happiness and there can be great happiness this week if they do the job,” Tovey said at an event where the Bafana Bafana Class of 1996 Legends pronounced their support for the JL Shoes Moshoeu Foundation. 

“There is another qualifying round but it will give us aspirations to qualify for the World Cup. It will give us belief. 

“This generation of players have a huge task on their shoulders but we must first deal with Zimbabwe at home, and let’s not look too far ahead to the Ghana match yet.

“Let’s get the result on Thursday and then keep our destiny in our own hands. It may even be over by Thursday. 

“Who knows? 

“We don’t know what is going to happen in the match between Ethiopia and Ghana. It is not all cut and dry.” 

To be able to beat Zimbabwe, who have a number of players based in Europe and in the DStv Premiership, Tovey said they must deal with big moments. “We have to identify big moments in the game and handle them well. We need to be there for the big moments in the defence and lay the foundation for the rest of the game. 

“They must be composed and start like they did against Ethiopia, I don’t want to see us sit back and try to defend one goal or something like that. 

“They must believe in themselves. Some have the experience of having played at junior World Cups and Olympics over the past five or six years. 

“Some have played at the Under-17 World Cup, at the Under-20 World Cup, two Under-23 Olympic qualification processes and tournaments. 

“There have been to international tournaments. 

“They must draw from playing in those tournaments and go to the World Cup at senior level to rub shoulders with the likes of Ronaldo and Messi.”