‘Yes we can’, Apologetic Broos makes AFCON promise to South Africans
South African national team coach Hugo Broos has apologised to the nation and made an AFCON promise after the disappointing draw against Liberia on Friday night.
Bafana Bafana were firmly in control at Orlando Stadium, going into the break leading 2-0 before letting the visitors claw back into the game.
Broos was seen angrily leaving the bench towards the end of the match. The Belgian was not available for the post-match television interview.
HUGO BROOS APOLOGETIC
The 70-year-old then sent his assistant Helman Mkhalele to the post-match press conference.
Journalists refused to be addressed by the Bafana legend, insisting the head coach had to come and face them.
The former Cameroon mentor then appeared for barely two minutes, saying he was not in a position to take questions as he was “disappointed”.
He has since apologised via a statement issued by SAFA in which he blamed the loss on failing to convert the several chances the team created.
“When you see the game, it was clear that we were the better team. It was clear that we had many chances. But it was also clear that we missed a lot of chances that, in the last half an hour, we lost control over the game because Liberia was more powerful than we were,” he said.
“And then yeah, in the 91st minute or 92nd minute, you get a goal where you lose the victory. And that made a lot of emotions with me, and I left at 2-2 and went immediately to the dressing room. I did not fulfil my media obligations, and I want to apologise.
“But I am human, and the emotions took control yesterday over me. I know from experience that it is better not to say anything in the heat of the moment, and that’s what I did. It was not right, but people can understand in such circumstances that you are taking that decision.”
THE AFCON PROMISE
He further said he had not considered relinquishing his position as head coach of the national team. The AFCON-winning mentor said he wanted to guide Bafana to the AFCON.
“It has been the same (goal) since I got to South Africa. It is something I have worked for in the last two years, and it was with ups and downs. Sometimes people didn’t understand why I took some decisions, but I think everyone saw yesterday that we have a good team.”
He added that he still believed in the team he was building and assured the nation he would “do everything I can to win on Tuesday”.
In his own words, he said: “to assure qualification for Afcon in January next year. So let there be no doubt about that.”
Bafana were scheduled to train in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon [25 March 2023] before heading out to Monrovia on Sunday.
STILL BELIEVES IN BAFANA
His message to the players was that he still believed in them. “They must not believe that because I was frustrated, angry and disappointed yesterday that I don’t believe in the team. I believe in the team because I built it. We have good players, and I know this team can qualify for the AFCON.
“So that’s what they’re waiting for now to see a coach who still believes in them. Then we will prepare for that difficult game in Monrovia on Tuesday, and I hope we will not make the same mistakes in that game because it was very, very, very clear that we are the better team. So if we can refill the batteries again for Tuesday, not just physically but also mentally, then we have to come back with a positive result. I am sure of it.”
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