Bafana Bafana Keep Feet on the Ground Ahead of Angola AFCON Opener
As the Africa Cup of Nations draws closer, expectations around Bafana Bafana are starting to build, but head coach Hugo Broos has made it clear that South Africa should not be seen as tournament favourites. Speaking ahead of their opening Group match against Angola, the Belgian coach chose realism over hype, stressing just how difficult the upcoming AFCON in Morocco is expected to be.
South Africa begin their campaign with a tricky encounter against Angola on Monday evening, before facing continental giants Egypt just four days later. Their final group match will be against Zimbabwe on December 29. On paper, it’s a demanding group, and Broos believes that reality should shape expectations. Despite Bafana’s impressive run at the previous AFCON, where a bronze medal was secured, the idea of South Africa being tipped to lift the trophy has been firmly played down.
Also Read:- Barry Manilow Faces Lung Surgery but Remains Optimistic About His Return to the Stage
- South Africa vs Angola: AFCON Opener Brings Big Expectations and Bigger Questions
According to Broos, labeling a team as favourites is dangerous territory. He explained that such expectations are better left to fans and the media, not the players or coaching staff. It was pointed out that this edition of AFCON will likely be tougher than the one held in Ivory Coast, mainly because the traditional powerhouses are unlikely to repeat past mistakes.
At the last tournament, several big nations were eliminated early, something Broos believes will not happen again. Teams like Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, and Morocco are expected to come back stronger, having learned valuable lessons. As a result, it is expected that most of the heavyweight teams will reach the knockout stages, making the path to the title far more challenging for everyone involved.
Broos was particularly clear when discussing favourites. In his view, if one team deserves that label, it is Morocco. Playing at home, backed by passionate supporters, and boasting a strong, well-organized squad, Morocco are seen as the team to beat. Beyond that, however, Broos feels the tournament is wide open, and opinions may only truly change once the group stages are completed.
Even though expectations are being managed publicly, it would be wrong to assume that Bafana lack ambition. Quiet confidence still exists within the squad, and the experience gained from their previous AFCON success is expected to play a role. While South Africa may not be favourites on paper, they will enter the tournament with belief, determination, and a clear focus on progressing step by step.
The journey begins against Angola, and from there, Bafana Bafana will look to prove that being underestimated can sometimes be the biggest advantage of all.
Read More:
0 Comments