Tag Archives: Bafana Bafana coach

‘It’s always difficult to lose such a player’ 

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Picture: Bafana Bafana player, Themba Zwane after injury 

By REGINALD KANYANE 

16 October 2024 – Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos believes that the early loss of Themba Zwane due to injury, contributed to his charges sharing the spoils against Congo Brazzaville in an away 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier played at Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat de Brazzaville on Tuesday evening.

Broos was forced to make a substitution five minutes before half-time break after Zwane suffered an injury and had to be replaced by Patrick Maswanganyi. The two sides went on to draw this AFCON qualifier after first half goals from Elias Mokwana in the 33rd minute and Congolese striker Andre Bassouamina just before the break.

“Themba Zwane is a very important player for us. It was not a good thing for us that Themba had to go out with an Achilles tendon injury. I’m afraid he will be out for months. So, again, when you lose such an important player, it’s difficult, certainly in a game where you dominated. 

“It’s always difficult to lose such a player because Zwane is someone who can keep the ball, who can give the last pass. So, he was not there and maybe that was also a reason why we didn’t play so well,” he said.

Broos conceded that the Congolese were a tougher nut to crack at home after losing 5-0 to Bafana Bafana in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape a few days ago. He said Congo surprised them at home and they could not find a way to score. 

Bafana Bafana remains in second place in Group K with eight points, just two behind group leaders Uganda (10 points). The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers resume in November 2024, when the South African senior national team travels to Uganda to face the East Africans away from home, and then returns to host South Sudan in the final match of the group.

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Bafana Bafana fully focused on Super Eagles showdown

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Picture: The Bafana Bafana players

By OBAKENG MAJE 

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos said traversing the African continent is not for the faint-hearted. This comes after Bafana Bafana have had one of their longest trips to Nigeria, spanning more than 30 hours until eventually arriving at their hotel on Thursday morning.

Broos’ charges arrived in Uyo, Nigeria, just after 11h00 local time on Thursday morning, this after the initial charter flight out of Johannesburg was delayed by 4 hours on Wednesday. He further said after eventually leaving OR Tambo International Airport, the team had to stay over in Port Harcourt on MD-2, but despite the long hours of travel, they are determined to tackle the task at hand.

“We are more focused than ever. Traveling in Africa is difficult, so that is not our focus. We are focused on the job at hand and that is the game against Nigeria. 

“Local media seemed more focused on the team’s injuries than the game itself, making sure they had as much information on every injury concerning Bafana camp. We will see about Mudau, there is much talk about him and other injuries,” said Broos. 

He added that Nigeria’s dangerman is Ademola Lookman, then there is Victor Osimhen, who is doubtful. Broos said they are not focusing on that, but on the game itself. 

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana marksman, Percy Tau said: “We have the ability and proven that at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire. Anyone that plays on Friday night has the resilience, as well as the experience to rise to the occasion. 

“We play in CAF, so we know what it’s like traveling and playing. It is never easy, but we are professionals. We are ready and we are hungry to play. This is all that we are here for.”

Bafana Bafana boast a clean bill of health, with most of the players that reported for duty just carrying slight injuries. The match is scheduled for 20h00 local time (21h00 SA Time) at Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

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Broos announces final Bafana squad for World Cup clashes against Nigeria, Zimbabwe

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Picture: Bafana Bafana players to face Nigeria/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos has named the final 23-member squad to face Nigeria and Zimbabwe in two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month.

The South African senior men’s national team face Nigeria’s Super Eagles away from home in Uyo on 7 June 2024 and then return to host Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on 11 June 2024.

Broos said he was happy that the South African Football Association (SAFA) will charter a flight for Bafana Bafana to Nigeria next week and then return home a few hours later before heading to Bloemfontein.

“It is very important that we are travelling by charter. You can spend two days travelling (on a commercial airline). You leave on Wednesday and arrive on Thursday night, it’s terrible.

“We did it two years ago against Ethiopia, we won here against Ethiopia, but we ran after the ball, we didn’t touch the ball and we won it. But we could have lost that game because the players were exhausted,” he said.

Broos further said they could not to repeat that again and SAFA did a very big effort to have that charter. He added that he is happy with it.

“So now we will fly to Lagos, from Lagos to Uyo, done. Ok, the flight will not be two or three hours, but it’s only Lagos and we are finished. This is what I wanted and again, I’m very happy that we could achieve it,” said Broos.

Bafana Bafana will return to Bloemfontein for the first time since the 2010 FIFA World Cup. They last played in the city when they beat France 2-1 in the global FIFA tournament 14 years ago.

The gates at Free State Stadium will open at 15h00 and the tickets are priced at R50.00 for adults. Kids, scholars and students will pay R20.00 (school uniform and student cards required for over 12-year-olds). Tickets are available at TicketPro outlets, Spar, SuperSpar, Putco, Postnet etc.

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Broos announces preliminary Bafana squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

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Picture: The Bafana Bafana players/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, has named a 36-member preliminary squad for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Broos said the South African senior men’s national team will face Nigeria’s Super Eagles away from home in Uyo on 7 June 2024. 

He said the Bafana Bafana squad will then return to host Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on 11 June 2024. Broos further said the final 23-member squad will be announced in the next few days.

“Bafana Bafana will return to Bloemfontein for the first time since the 2010 FIFA World Cup. They last played in the city when they beat France 2-1 in the global FIFA tournament 14 years ago. The gates at Free State Stadium will open at 15h00 and the tickets are priced at R50 for adults. 

“The kids, scholars and students, will pay R20 (school uniform and student cards required for over 12-year-olds). Tickets are available at TicketPro outlets, Spar, SuperSpar, Putco, Postnet etc,” he said.

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What a game – Broos pleased with Bafana’s performance

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Picture: Bafana Bafana players against Algeria/Google

By OBAKENG MAJE

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos was a happy man after his players delivered an impressive display during a six-goal thriller against hosts Algeria at a packed Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Tuesday night. Broos said the South African senior men’s team drew 3-3 with Algeria in an action-packed FIFA Series match that had the fans on the edge of their seats for the majority of the 90 minutes.

He further said the Algerians were the first to get their name up on the stadium scoreboard when Yassine Benzia opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Broos added that, visitors stormed back and equalised through Themba Zwane in the 34th minute following a cross from Mihlali Mayambela.

“Bafana Bafana then took the lead in the 47th minute when Zwane beat goalkeeper Moustafa Zeghba with a beautiful strike just before the break. Algeria clawed their way back when Brahimi equalised to make it 2-2 in the 53rd minute. Bafana Bafana regained the lead when Iqraam Rayners made it 3-2 in the 65th minute, but Benzia equalised in the 70th minute to make it 3-3.

“What a game! It was a fantastic game from both teams, but the performance of South Africa was really, really good. We played against a very strong team, but I do not think there was much difference between the quality of our game and the quality of the game of Algeria. That means we have progressed in the last few months,” he said.

Broos said the was a performance that satisfied as he wanted to use the South African senior men’s team’s participation in the FIFA Series in Algeria as an opportunity to widen his pool of players ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.

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Bafana Bafana get down to business in Algeria

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Picture: Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos ready for FIFA Series

By OBAKENG MAJE 

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, had his first training session at Annaba stadium, Algeria on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the FIFA Series to be held in the North African country in the coming days. Broos was all smiles as his charges got down to business at the 19 May 1956 Stadium. 

The Mamelodi Sundowns and Supersport United contingent are expected in Annaba later on Tuesday night and the South African senior men’s team coach will finally have his full complement of players. The Africa Cup of Nations Bronze medalists play the first match of the FIFA Series against Andorra on 21 March 2024. 

They then travel back to the capital of this North African country’s capital city to face hosts Algeria at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Tuesday, 26 March 2024 before returning home on the following day.

Broos said: “I am happy that we are playing these two games. We play against Andorra in the first match, who are not a top team in Europe, far from it, but they lose games by close margins, usually 1-0 or 1-2. This means it will be tough. 

“It is a different style also, and the game also gives me an opportunity to look at new players. As I said, we have started to look for new players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup because there are some players we might have to replace for the tournament.”

He further said he is happy with that game against Andorra. Broos added that he is also happy with the match against Algeria because they are one of the best teams in Africa.

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Broos names final squad against Algeria

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Picture: Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos 

By OBAKENG MAJE  

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos has named his final 23-member squad for the FIFA Series international friendlies pilot project in Algeria later this month. The FIFA event will run from 18 to 26 March 2024 and Broos said, it is a great opportunity to call some new players to the South African senior men’s team. 

He further said certainly, he is also looking to the future. Broos added that already, there are a few players in the group who will be 35, 34, 36 when the FIFA World Cup is jointly hosted in Canada, Mexico and the United States of America in 2026. 

“So yes, we have to look for replacements also. Firstly, we have to see those games as an opportunity to give new players, younger players, to show if they are at Bafana Bafana level. 

“Secondly, we are playing against two different styles of opponents. On one side, you have Andorra and you can compare them to Namibia. So, a tough team, a team who will wait and try to be dangerous in transition,” he said.

Broos said, on the other side, you have Algeria, which is ranked 5th in the CAF rankings. He said, so that means you have two different styles, and it is good for the South African senior men’s team, certainly also to play against Andorra, but certainly to play against such a good team like Algeria.

“They have a new coach and will have new players also in their selection. So, it will be a good test for those new players who are with us to prove themselves. Therefore, those friendly games are important, and you have to get the results if you want to keep your 10th place or maybe progress even further in the CAF ranking.

“We will play the first match against Andorra at the 19 May 1956 Stadium in Annaba, Algeria, on 21 March 2024. We then face the hosts at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on 26 March 2024 before returning home on the following day,” said Broos. 

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Bafana Bafana camp hits by injuries ahead of AFCON

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Picture: Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos

By OBAKENG MAJE

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos has shared his thoughts on the injury concerns that have affected his team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire. Broos said Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, is currently being managed by the medical team due to a knee niggle, midfielder Themba Zwane took a knock on the knee a few days ago, while Mothobi Mvala had a groin injury.

“Mvala is still part of this team for now. I will not rule him out or think further until I have the full medical details from the team doctor. He is still a part of the AFCON-bound team. Mvala is the type of player that gives everything, both during a match and in practice.

“The above-mentioned players were not part of the South African senior men’s team that faced Lesotho in a preparation match at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, on Wednesday afternoon (10 January 2024),” he said.

Bafana Bafana team doctor, Dr Tshepo Molobi said: “As it is in any camp, we will always be faced with something and this is the nature of football when you’re dealing with athletes. In the case of Mvala, all medical assessments have been made and while we continue practicing caution with all and any injuries, there is no need to rule him out.

“He will travel with the team to Côte d’Ivoire and we as a medical team, will continuously monitor all injuries and niggles that need our care.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana played to a goalless draw against Lesotho on Wednesday.

The team departs from Johannesburg to Abidjan on Thursday 11 January 2024 and will make their residence in CAN Village in Korhogo their home from Friday.

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Bafana Bafana coach announces squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire

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Picture: Bafana Bafana players

By OBAKENG MAJE

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos has announced his final squad for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

Broos selected 23 players and put another three on standby, saying this is the personnel that will do battle in the West African country against the continent’s best national teams.

“If we do not go past the group stages, we will not be happy and that is for sure. I think that has to be the first goal. You know, going past the group stages is one of the most difficult things to do in the tournament.

“It is like that because you are playing against three opponents that are 100% motivated and they also want to go past those group stage,” he said.

Broos’ charges will assemble for camp on 4 January 2024 and then travel to Stellenbosch for a training camp that will be held in the Western Cape city until 9 January 2024.

Bafana Bafana will then play a training match against Lesotho behind closed doors at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville before departing for Côte d’Ivoire on 11 January 2024.

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