Apologetic Broos still believes Bafana can triumph in Liberia

Hugo Broos believes Bafana Bafana still have what it takes to get the victory against Liberia in Monrovia on Tuesday that will qualify them for the Africa Cup of Nations Finals.

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If Bafana lose to Liberia, their qualifying campaign will be over, and Broos’ job will also surely be on the line. A draw will leave qualification very much in the balance heading into Bafana’s final qualifier at home to Morocco in June.

The Bafana head coach has also apologised for his decision to ‘run away’ after Bafana Bafana’s disappointing 2-2 home draw with Liberia on Friday, and says he still very much wants to lead South Africa at finals in the Ivory Coast next year.

“The most important thing now is that the players know I still believe in them,” said Broos.

I believe in the team because I built it and I know we have good players, and a team that is able to qualify for the Afcon …. then we can prepare for a difficult game in Monrovia and we hope not to make the same mistakes (as on Friday). It is very clear we are a better team (than Liberia) and we must refill our batteries for Tuesday, physically but also mentally. We have to come back with a positive result.”

Broos walked off the pitch on Friday at Orlando Stadium immediately after a stoppage-time equaliser from Mohammed Sangare had tied the scores up at 2-2, and then refused to answer questions from media or comment on the result.

Flesh and blood

“I am a man of flesh and blood and my emotions were too big,” said Broos.

“I am an experienced coach and I know in such circumstances there will be difficult questions, and when the emotions take control I will say things I feel very sorry about afterwards. I tried to avoid that yesterday and if that came across badly with the journalists and media waiting for me, I apologise.”

Broos admitted that Bafana lost control of Friday’s game in the last 30 minutes, after Lyle Foster’s brace had given them a 2-0 lead inside the first 30 minutes at Orlando Stadium. South Africa wasted a multitude of chances to extend their lead and ultimately paid a heavy price.

“I think everything is clear when you see the game. It was clear we were the better team, we had a lot of chances but it is also clear we missed a lot of chances.

“In the last half an hour we lost control of the game, Liberia were more powerful than we were and then in the 92^nd minute, to concede a goal and lose the victory, it created a lot of emotions in me, and after it went to 2-2, I ran away immediately to the dressing room.”