Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has identified a fatal flaw in the team’s recent performances at the 2025 AFCON as they prepare for the Round of 16.
Despite South Africa securing a spot in the Last 16 following a 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe on Monday, the Belgian tactician had a big concern.
Bafana’s group stage journey has been a roller coaster, featuring a 2-1 win over Angola, a controversial 1-0 loss to Egypt, and the narrow 3-2 clincher against Zimbabwe. In both wins, they scored first before the opponent equalised, though they went on to win both clashes.
They will face either Ivory Coast or Cameroon in the next stage of the competition. The match will be played in Rabat on Sunday.
Reflecting on the team’s patterns against Angola, Egypt, and Zimbabwe, Broos highlighted a dangerous lack of intensity that he believes could be fatal in the knockout rounds. Broos expressed particular frustration with the team’s inability to maintain pressure after taking early leads.
BROOS SOUNDS WARNING TO BAFANA BAFANA
The Bafana coach warned his squad that the ‘thinking’ that a game is over after one goal must stop.
“Against Angola and today, and even against Egypt… the beginning of the game and nearly all the first half was soft, was weak,” Broos told journalists. “We were not in the duel. There was no aggression.”
The coach noted that while the team often starts with the correct intent, they quickly lose momentum, a habit he compared to a vessel losing power.
“In the first 20 minutes, we had that [aggression]. But then, like a ship, we took the foot out of the pedal,” Broos added. “You give the opportunity to the opponent to come back in the game. This is something we have to learn, to have that aggression in duels and the concentration.”
Looking ahead to the Round of 16, where South Africa is likely to face continental heavyweights, Broos was blunt about their chances if the ‘soft’ play continues.
“Normally, it will be Ivory Coast now, or Cameroon in the next round,” Broos warned. “We don’t have to play like that against them. If we do that, then we have no chance. We have no chance to win the game.”
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