Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is determined to see his team secure a win against Namibia in their upcoming match, as it is crucial for their chances of progressing in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament.
After suffering a 2-0 defeat to Mali in their opening match, Broos believes that a victory against Namibia is necessary to keep their hopes alive.
Reflecting on the loss to Mali, Broos attributed the defeat to Percy Tau’s early penalty miss and the team’s lack of physical strength.
Despite starting the game promisingly, Bafana Bafana struggled to match the physicality of Mali in the second half, resulting in two quick goals from the opposition. Broos commended his team’s overall performance but acknowledged that the missed penalty and Mali’s physical dominance were the deciding factors in the game.
Broos emphasized the importance of the upcoming match against Namibia, highlighting the motivation and confidence that Namibia gained from their surprising 1-0 victory over Tunisia.
He stressed that a win against Namibia is crucial for Bafana Bafana to improve their position in Group E and increase their chances of advancing to the group stages of the tournament.
The coach expressed his confidence in the team’s ability to secure a victory against Namibia, despite the challenges they faced against Mali.
He highlighted the need for the players to maintain the same level of performance they displayed in the previous match and to approach the game with determination and focus.
Broos mentioned key players from Namibia, such as Deon Hotto, Peter Shalulile, Loyd Kazapua, and Lubeni Haukongo, who play in the DStv Premiership, acknowledging their talent and the potential threat they pose.
Broos acknowledged the physicality of Mali’s players and the team’s struggle to cope with it. He noted that South Africa lacks players with similar physical attributes and emphasized the need to find a solution to counter such challenges in future matches.
Despite this, Broos defended striker Evidence Makgopa, stating that his performance was not poor and that the team as a whole needs to address the issue of physicality collectively.
