Hugo Broos Aims for 2nd AFCON Triumph with Bafana Bafana
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has set his sights on securing a second African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in his second tournament.
Broos, who clinched victory with Cameroon in 2017, is now determined to repeat that success with South Africa.
Hugo Broos wants to go all the way with Mzansi’s national team at AFCON 2023.
The coach expresses the unique joy and intensity associated with winning AFCON, emphasizing the dream of achieving this feat once again.
What Hugo Broos had to say
“When you won it once, you want to win it twice – it’s a fantastic feeling winning an AFCON, and I said already before, I’m a European but the intensity and joy, everything around winning AFCON is unique, it’s really unique,”
Hugo Broos has already won the tournament with Cameroon.
Broos remarked at the pre-match press conference in Khorogo.
He acknowledges the challenges ahead but remains optimistic, stating:
“So it was a fantastic experience six years ago, I dream of doing it the second time but saying is much easier than doing it, let’s start tomorrow and do our best and see where we arrive.”
Broos first AFCON triumph with Cameroon in 2017 was met with skepticism and doubt from both media and locals.
Critics questioned his decisions, including dropping prominent players as well as his unusual choices.
Despite the initial skepticism, Broos led a modest squad to a 2-1 victory against Egypt in the final, defying expectations.
Broos said:
“They felt he disrespected the country, and local players and dropped some of their biggest names while the likes of Andre Onana was not used as a first-choice goalkeeper.”
Hugo Broos acknowledges the tough competition but expresses confidence in his team’s capabilities.
The match is set to take place at the Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly following the Tunisia vs Namibia game.
Broos remarked:
“I think everyone is happy we’re one day before the game, you know there’s always preparation but we’re looking forward to playing.
“We’re aware we have a tough opponent tomorrow with Mali,”
He stresses the importance of starting the tournament with a victory, stating:
“On the other side we believe in our chances and I hope we can achieve our best level so we can win the game, it’s very important to start with a victory.”
Vice-captain Percy Tau echoes Broos’s ideas, expressing the squad’s excitement and confidence in their preparations.
Tau stated:
“It’s a dream for me to win it, and I’d love to win it, our squad shares the same dream, I’d love to win it.”
Percy Tau shares his coach’s dreams.
Bafana Bafana will face Mali on the 16th of February at 22:00 CAT.
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