Rédaction Africa Links 24 with sabcnews.com
Published on 2024-02-03 13:05:59
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is hopeful that the team’s success at the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire will attract interest from overseas teams. The coach claims that the team’s incredible campaign has not only put South Africa on the map in terms of football talent but has also proven that the Premier Soccer League is a very competitive league.
South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana, is set to play against the Cape Verde Islands in a quarter-final match on Saturday evening. With only two players currently plying their trade in the top five leagues in the world, Lyle Foster and Lebo Mothiba, the team is looking to make an impact on the international stage.
Out of the current AFCON squad, only two players are based in Europe, Mihlali Mayambela and Sphephelo Sithole. Coach Broos believes that many South African players will attract interest from the big leagues in Europe after this competition, which can only be beneficial for the development and expansion of South African football talent.
The coach is optimistic about the team’s performance in the upcoming match against Cape Verde, hoping that a successful run in the tournament will increase interest in South African players. He also expressed his desire for South African players to receive more attention and recognition from international leagues, emphasizing the importance of their performance in the AFCON.
South Africa will be facing Cape Verde in the quarter-finals with the goal of reaching the semi-finals for the first time since the 2000 AFCON in Nigeria. Broos has expressed confidence in the team’s abilities and believes that they can secure a victory against Cape Verde despite the team’s slightly superior qualities.
The PSL has the second-highest number of representatives at AFCON, with 20 Bafana Bafana players, behind the French top-tier league. The coach commends the standard of the PSL and acknowledges that the players are motivated to prove themselves at a higher level. He also highlights the technical aspect of the championship and notes that the team has adapted their playing style accordingly.
Having previously won the Afcon with Cameroon in 2017, Broos’ experience and success in the tournament can serve as inspiration for the South African team to reach similar heights. Bafana Bafana striker, Evidence Makgopa, believes in the coach’s ability to lead the team and is determined to perform well despite facing criticism for his lack of goal-scoring.
Makgopa remains unfazed by the criticism from fans and is focused on repaying the faith shown by the coach, emphasizing the importance of moving forward and continuing to play his best football. The match against Cape Verde will kick off at 10 pm South African time and will be televised live on SABC TV, with fans hopeful for a Bafana Bafana victory.
Read Original article on SABC
