Broos ‘rather happy’ as Bafana avoid big guns in Afcon draw

Hugo Broos has admitted Bafana Bafana’s fate at the Africa Cup of Nations finals “could be worse” after South Africa were drawn in Group E with Tunisia, Mali and Namibia.

Bafana were seeded only in pot three at the draw in Abidjan on Thursday evening, meaning they faced the possibility of going up against several continental powerhouses.

A prime example of this is seen in the first three groups at next year’s Afcon, which will take place in the Ivory Coast next year from January 13 to February 11. Group A features both the hosts Ivory Coast and Nigeria, Group B contains both Egypt and Ghana, while Group C is made up of both Senegal and Cameroon.

These were all potentially far trickier groups for Bafana, not to mention the possibility of facing World Cup semfinalists Morocco, who have been drawn in Group F.

“I am not unhappy, Mali are a big team, and so are Tunisia, but I would prefer Tunisia to Senegal or the Ivory Coast. And Namibia, we know them, so I think if we can achieve our best level we can go through the group stages,” said the Bafana head coach. 

Broos admitted he hadn’t held out much hope for a good draw.

“When you are in Pot 3 you don’t have much hope, there are always two big teams,” he said.

‘We have done a good thing’

“Tunisia are certainly a big team but they are a bit less so than Morocco, Senegal or the hosts, so from that side we have done a good thing.

“Mali are the same, they are good but are not right at the top. Again it will be tough, they are two good teams and maybe to be directly qualified (for the next round) you have to beat both.”

“But I am rather happy with the draw. It could be worse.”

Bafana will get a taste of the atmosphere they can expect in next year’s tournament when they play the Ivory Coast in an international friendly in Abidjan on Tuesday.

“We will be confronted by one of the best teams in Africa,” added Broos.

“They are the hosts and when you are hosts of Afcon you always go very far in the competition. Secondly we will play in a full stadium … it will be a good experience, because when you play at the Afcon you are always in a full stadium.”

“So I am very happy with next Tuesday and also happy we are not in a group with Cote D’Ivoire!”