Bafana coach Broos confident of reaching Afcon knockout stages

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has reacted to the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) draw, which was conducted in Abidjan on Thursday.

ALSO READ: Broos accuses Bafana players of lacking passion after dull Eswatini draw

South Africa were drawn in Group E against Tunisia, Mali and neighbbours Namibia.

Broos is happy with the draw and believes Bafana Bafana have what it takes to progress to the knockout stages of the Afcon.

“Obviously I am not unhappy when you see the teams in our group,” said Broos as quoted by Cafonline.

“I think in Mali and Tunisia we have big teams, but I prefer to have Tunisia and Mali.” 

During the draw, Bafana Bafana found themselves in Pot Three, a position that usually results in being grouped with two formidable teams. 

“When you are in Pot Three, you don’t have to hope much because there are always two big teams in your group,” commented Broos.  

ALSO READ: Awful Bafana held by Eswatini

“I am happy with the draw because it could have been worse,” concluded Broos.

The top two in each of the six groups will progress along with the best four third-placed teams.

The Afcon will take place in Ivory Coast between 13 January until 11 February 2024.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana are set to meet Afcon hosts Ivory Coast in an international friendly in Abidjan on Tuesday.

Broos will be hoping for a better performance from his charges after they played to a dull draw with neigbours eSwatini.

The Belgian coach was not happy with the display from Bafana and accused his players of lacking passion.

“I didn’t understand why the team was playing like this. Already in the first half, there was no passion, no rhythm, I don’t know what is happening. I said at half time I hoped to see a better team but the second half was exactly the same.

“They have to be honest with themselves, they know they were bad,” commented Broos.