Bafa Bafana coach Hugo Broos and striker Lebo Mothiba have named the nation they tip to win the next edition of the AFCON.
Bafana played a 1-1 draw against Ivory Coast on Tuesday night after playing out to a goalless draw against neighbours Eswatini at FNB Stadium last Friday.
Tuesday’s friendly match was part of Bafana’s preparations for the AFCON in January 2024 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers which start in November 2023.
WHO HUGO BROOS AND LEBO MOTHIBA’S TIP TO WIN AFCON
Broos and Mothiba feel Ivory Coast are favourites going into the tournament that runs from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
The pair believes that the West African nation has a core group of quality players who have what it takes to win the competition as most of them play in Europe.
“Côte d’Ivoire is a very good team with very good players. For me, is one of the candidates to win the AFCON next year in January,” said Broos.
He added it was a great experience to play the Elephants. “We need such games for preparations for the AFCON.”
The Belgian mentor relished playing in a full stadium, which Bafana “are not used to”. “We played in front of two spectators last Friday,” Broos said sarcastically.
LEBO MOTHIBA BACKS HUGO BROOS
Meanwhile, Mothiba added: “Ivory Coast is a very big team with very good players. Most of them are playing in Europe… As the coach said, Ivory Coast is a candidate to win the AFCON next year.”
Bafana now shift their focus to next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The side will play Benin on 13 November in Johannesburg before visiting Rwanda in Kigali a week later.
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