Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos reflects on his side’s performance after winning the bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
South Africa were drawn in a difficult group as they faced Mali, Tunisia and Nambia. However, Broos’ troops managed to make it out in the group stages finishing second behind Mali with four points, after winning 4-1 against Nambia, drawing with Tunisia and losing against Mali.
The Belgian mentor motivated his side after they found out that they wwould face Morocco in the round of 16, reflecting on Bafana’s journey at the AFCON, Broos reveals what he told his boys before the match against the North African giants.
“You know it is very difficult, to find the words because I have to be honest also, I didn’t expect that, I said always when there was a draw for AFCON. Okay we have a difficult group but it’s possible, we can go to it’s possible but then you have Morocco, so normally you are out but I felt the confidence in the group and we beat them a few months before. So, I say yeah, but it’s possible hey, it’s possible. So, the guys knew also that it was possible and then you win against Morocco,” he said.
🇿🇦 @BafanaBafana head coach Hugo Broos reflects on an ‘unexpected’ AFCON.#AFCON2023 | #CAN2023 pic.twitter.com/jWwgseh5a4
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) February 12, 2024
Bafana, after eliminating the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, faced Cape Verde in the quarter-finals where they played a goalless draw and went on to win on penalties thanks to Ronwen Williams’ heroics.
South Africa played a 1-1 draw against Nigeria in the semi-final which saw the game going on penalty shootout where they got knocked out by the Super Eagles. Bafana fought for third place at AFCON as they played DR Congo who were dispatched by the hosting nation Ivory Coast. Again, skipper Rowen Williams was the hero of the nation as he saved two penalties to make sure that South Africa brings home the bronze medal.
Broos continued to sing his team’s praises after their win against Morocco.
“And then I said also think after Morocco, no we can reach the final. So, for me it was really yeah, it was fantastic experience again, it was three fantastic weeks really, we had a fantastic group, I say always fantastic, but it is fantastic not only the guys who were playing but also the guys who were on the bench. Yeah, I had a fantastic experience and I’m very, very happy,” he concluded.
Bafana were also awarded with a fair play award and are expected to land in South Africa tomorrow morning at the OR Tambo International airport around 04:00.
