Hugo Broos analyses Bafana’s performance after securing AFCON Last 16 place

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has reacted to the national team’s qualification to the 2023 AFCON Last 16 in Ivory Coast, offering his analyses of his troops’ performance.

Bafana played out to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday evening against the 2004 African champions Tunisia in their last Group E encounter at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium.

The stalemate saw the 2010 FIFA World Cup hosts finish second in their group with four points following a victory against Namibia, a draw in the Tunisia clash and a defeat to Mali.

West African side Mali finished at the summit of Group E with five points, while Namibia are at par with SA, only separated by goal difference. Tunisia are fourth with two points.

“I’m a very happy coach not because we qualified for the next round, but because of the performance. The coach can be satisfied when he sees his boys fighting and working on the pitch,” said Broos.

Hugo Broos reacts to Bafana Bafana’s AFCON progression

“The coach is happy when he sees the bunch of guys on the bench doing as the guys on the field to support the teammates. We did a good analysis of Tunisia; we played a little bit lower, and we played a little bit compact.

“We have to take into account that we had one day less recovery than our opponents. So we have to look a little bit when we had our efforts, that’s why we chose that tactic. And I think it was the right one, we were good in block.

“Tunisia was not nearly dangerous all game. We had little chances. But okay, after 90 minutes South Africa deserves to be in the next round.”

The 1996 African champions will be back in action on Tuesday, 30 January. They will face Group F winners Morocco in the Last 16.

Kickoff at Stade de San Pédro is at 10pm [SA time].

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