Broos has acknowledged the tough challenge ahead, with South Africa drawn in Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea and Czechia, a side returning to the tournament after a 20-year absence.

Bafana Bafana will be making their own return to the global stage after a 16 year absence, adding further significance to the campaign.

The Belgian mentor, whose contract is set to expire after the tournament, says securing three points in the opening match will be crucial in boosting their chances of progressing to the last 16.

Broos remains optimistic that with the right start and mindset, his squad can make a meaningful impact on football’s biggest stage.

“I’m confident because I’m five years here and I think it’s something that every time we came back, I was confident in what I did and what I chose. And this time again I’m full of confidence in the choices we made and in the team we have. I’m certainly confident in the fact that those players have the talent and the qualities to have a big, a good result in the World Cup. It will not be easy. We are in a group with four teams and the differences between the four teams are not so big, are not so much, ” says Broos.

He adds, “So that means that it will be a tough struggle to pass the group stages. We have not a big country in our group like Brazil or Spain, France, Argentina or whatever. No, we have four teams who are able to pass in the group stages. We are confident, I’m confident that it’s possible. And for me, the first goal in those group stages is as soon as possible to have the three points. I’m sure and I’m convinced, if we have three points that we go to the next stage, certainly taking in account that, in this World Cup there are eight third places who pass the group stages.”

He elaborates by saying, “That has been different in the past. It was tougher because you had to be one or two in our group. Now you still have a chance to be as the third one to go through but you need three points. If you don’t have the three points, I think it will not be possible to pass the group stages. So, for us, it will be very important to have those three points as soon as possible. And again, I’m confident that we can achieve that. So, we need also, like in every big tournament, you need a little bit of luck. You can’t deny that. But again, with the confidence we have, the confidence we have in those players, I think it has to be possible. And if we can achieve that, it’s never happened in the history of South African football that the team has passed the group stages. So, we can do an historical thing and we are ready to, to fight for it.”

—SABC—