Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos is excited about the future and believes that the six-goal thriller against Algeria in an international friendly match played at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Tuesday night, talks to the standard of this team and what can be expected from them.
Bafana concluded the international week with an impressive 3-all draw against the fifth-ranked African nation.
On a difficult week where the future of Broos has been the subject of speculation in the media, their Tuesday night performance and the powerful speech he’s said to have given to the players after the game about his commitment to the team.
Broos says Bafana can now take on any team in Africa.”It was a fantastic game from both teams, but the performance of South Africa was really good today [last night]. We played against a strong team but I don’t think there was much difference between the quality of our game and the quality of the game of Algeria. And I think we don’t have to be afraid anymore of any team in Africa,” said Broos.
A brace from the GOAT, Themba “Mshishi” Zwane and Iqraam Rayner’s second-half header gave the 60 million Rainbow nation supporters something to smile about. Bafana concluded the inaugural FIFA Series international friendlies unbeaten after having been unfortunately held to a one-all draw by a lowly-ranked Andorra last Thursday. What makes Broos happy about this current Bafana team, is the togetherness on and off the pitch.
”This is a very good team, when you see that as a coach you can only be happy. Everyone plays their part and the mentality is good,” added Broos.
The focus now shifts to the resumption of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.Broos tested a couple of combinations in these two matches, having fielded a second-string side in the first game against Andorra, mainly made up of non-regulars from the AFCON 2023 and new call-ups. But against Algeria, he returned his big guns who reached the first semifinals in 24 years in Côte D’Ivoire and also claimed the bronze medal.
The 71-year-old assesses the latest group of players.”Without mentioning names, there are some players who convinced me, and we will see them in June,” he concluded.
Based on the performance of the last two matches, players like Elias Mokwana and Iqraam Rayners proved that they belong to this team.
Mokwana, the silky attacker from Sekhukhune United was a revelation in the Bafana Bafana jersey, the ability to take on players and create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates makes him one to look out for. He scored a goal and provided an assist in these two matches.
Broos did not want to mention names but has assured the nation that they will see in June the players who have impressed him.
Bafana Bafana plays Nigeria and Zimbabwe in June in the World Cup qualifiers, starting with a trip to Uyo and come back home to host their neighbours.
(story credit: SABC Sport)
