How Hugo Broos outsmarted Morocco to reach AFCON quarter-finals
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has revealed how he outsmarted Morocco as SA eliminated their opponents to reach the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON.
The 1996 African champions made it back-to-back victories against the 2023 FIFA World Cup Qatar semi-finalists. They won 2-0 on Tuesday night in the Last 16 clash at Stade Laurent Pokou.
Evidence Makgopa opened the scoring early in the second half before Teboho Mokoena sealed the deal deep in stoppage time to send Morocco packing home.
In their previous match in the AFCON qualifiers, SA claimed a 2-1 victory against the Atlas Lions in June 2023, in Johannesburg.
In explaining the win, Broos said that they used the right tactics, which was more defensive against Morocco because they had done a good analysis of their opponents.
HUGO BROOS SAYS THEY USED THE RIGHT TACTICS AGAINST MOROCCO
“The coach who wins the game has always the best tactic, it’s always like that,” said Broos. If Morocco had scored with the chances they had, then lost the game, then you ask me, ‘Coach, why are you playing like that?’.
“We did a very good analysis of Morocco. It’s not the first time we played against them, we know that their team don’t change so much. They have good players, so we knew how we should play. Again, I think this was the right tactic. That team is a really good team.”
Broos further admitted that luck was on their side, especially in the second half. Defender Achraf Hakimi missed a penalty five minutes before full-time, failing to level matters.
“There were certain moments in the game that we needed a bit of luck in the second half. They missed a penalty, they had good chances, then you win the game,” he added.
Bafana will shift their focus to Cape Verde. The two sides will meet on Saturday, 3 February in the quarter-finals to battle it out for a spot in the semis.
Kickoff at Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro is at 10pm [SA time].
RELATED STORY: Gavin Hunt insists SuperSport were better than Sundowns