Broos pleased with turnaround as Bafana deliver Elephants draw

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos believes his side are ready to take on the challenge of next month’s Fifa World Cup qualifiers, as well as the Africa Cup of Nations finals in January, after they produced a far better performance in Tuesday’s 1-1 international friendly draw with the Ivory Coast in Abidjan.

The Bafana coach admitted, however, that his side need to be switched on against whichever nation they play, following Friday’s woeful display in the goalless draw with Swaziland.

As bad as Bafana were on Friday, they played well in a hostile environment at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, which has to give them further hope they can put up a strong showing at next year’s Afcon, which will be held in the Ivory Coast.

“As angry as I was on Friday, I am pleased today,” said Broos.

“South Africa played a very good game against a very good team. We had a good mentality on the pitch and we played good football, not only in defending, but sometimes in the way we attacked, we put the Ivory Coast in trouble”

Bafana took an 8^th minute lead through Themba Zwane, and had a glorious chance to double their lead early in the second half, but Khuliso Mudau, who was otherwise superb, dragged his effort wide. Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastian Haller equalised for the Elephants and Bafana had to withstand a late onslaught to hold on for the draw.

“It is a pity we had a big chance in the second half and didn’t score, that would have been 2-0 and (from there) we should have won. But I said to the players ‘try and get a result but first put in a good performance’, and we put in a good performance.’

A call to Bafana fans

Bafana’s first game of the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers will be at home to Benin next month, and Broos is again hoping the fans come out to support his side. He put his side’s poor performance against Eswatini down to a lack of focus, but also pointed to the lack of people in the stands at FNB Stadium.

“Maybe this is a step the team has to make,” said Broos.

“If you play a weaker team you have to have the same concentration, focus and mentality as when you play Ivory Coast. Plus there is the fact that when you come to the pitch and there are only 200 fans there to support you, it is very difficult.

“Even today, though the stadium was … for the Ivory Coast, it gives motivation to our players too. I hope against Benin next month South Africans will come and support us. It will be very important to have them there.”