South Africa’s Belgian head coach Hugo Broos (R) indicates to his player Bongokuhle Hlongwane (L) during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying round Group G football match between South Africa and Ethiopia at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg Coach Hugo Broos hopes to see a much-improved Bafana Bafana in their two upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo. Picture: Phill Magakoe/AFP
The gloss of Bafana Bafana’s run to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) earlier this year has certainly worn off, and coach Hugo Broos wants to see a different type of South Africa in their crunch clashes coming up.
South Africa currently holds second spot in Group K of Afcon qualifiers, and will host Congo at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday.
Congo will then welcome Bafana to Alphonse Massemba-Débat Stadium in Brazzaville on Tuesday.
After a win against South Sudan and a draw against Uganda, Broos was not a happy coach.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos on the exclusion of Percy Tau.
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“I was not happy with the performances, we were lucky twice,” said Broos.
“I want to see another South Africa in the two games in front of us.”
Broos and Bafana would be expecting at least four points against Congo, which would go a long way to ensuring they can dazzle once more at the African showpiece event towards the end of 2025.
Since Broos took over the reigns at Bafana in 2021, there has been renewed optimism about the national football team. Though the team has had some notable highs, Bafana have lost 15 matches under his watch while they have won 18 and drawn six.
The ebb and flow of results, is not unusual Broos felt.
“This is normal in a way. The last two years has been a good news show with South Africa.
“We played well and got good results, qualified for the Afcon where we got a bronze medal. Then there was the [friendly] game against Algeria [a 3-3 draw], and then the games [World Cup qualifiers] against Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
“After that it is normal to have a dip, but we have to look at it not becoming a problem.”
While a win and a draw in their two fixtures against Congo would probably go down well, Broos had set his hopes higher.
“So I will talk to the players and I want to see another South Africa against Congo, a South Africa that shows confidence and that dominates. I am sure if we achieve that we will also get six points.”