AFCON 2023: Broos convinced Bafana Bafana will upset favorites Morocco

Bafana Bafana’s coach believes it will be a tight game despite the obvious gap in pedigree and their captain urged the team to take lessons from their shock won over Egypt four years ago when they meet Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 on Tuesday.

South Africa will bid farewell to Korhogo on Saturday and will be heading to San Pedro where they will face the Atlas Lions at Stade Laurent Pokou on Tuesday.

Broos’ team had made CAN Village in Korhogo their home away from home since arriving on January 11 ahead of the tournament group stages. With qualification to the next round secured after a comfortable 4-0 win against Namibia, a goalless draw with Tunisia and a 0-2 defeat to Mali, Bafana Bafana have now turned their attention fully on Morocco.

Discussing about the game, Broos said he was thankful that his charges have already met the North Africans in the last few months and know what to expect on Tuesday. Bafana Bafana defeated the FIFA World Cup semi-finalists 2-1 in an AFCON qualifier played at FNB Stadium on June 17, 2023.

“We know and understand this team, how they play, as we have played them before. We have also won against them, and nothing is impossible,” said Broos, adding: “In this AFCON we are seeing that nothing is impossible, and I believe in my players. I believe they can do it and I know that they believe in themselves too.”

Broos will, however, be worried that key players Mothobi Mvala and Khuliso Mudau suffered knocks during the final Group E game against a very physical Tunisia, which saw both players spending time in the sick bay for most of Thursday and Friday.