Hugo Broos ‘proud’ of Bafana despite semi loss

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is sad after the loss at Afcon, and Broos reflects on the changes he made in the Bafana squad.

The Belgian mentor, Broos says he had to make changes in the Bafana squad because the team had many old players.

ALSO READ I Skipper Williams unfazed by statistics vs. beatable Nigeria

Bafana, despite many not giving them a chance, defied the odds and reached the semi-finals of the Afcon tournament but lost to Nigeria – Broos is still sad.

In his post-match address in Ivory Coast, as Bafana will meet DR Congo in a quest for a third spot, Broos said he gained a lot of critics after making changes.

The 71-year-old coach took the Bafana job in 2021 and said he had to change many things at the national team to perform the way they are doing at Afcon.

ALSO READ I Will Kaizer Chiefs lose coach Pitso Mosimane to Egypt?

SAD HUGO BROOS REFLECTS ON CHANGES IN BAFANA AFCON SQUAD

Among some of the changes he made in the Bafana squad, Broos had to invite players from small clubs instead of focusing on the big three such as Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Orlando Pirates.

“When I came to SA, first of all, I was a little bit surprised that there were so many old players in the team,” Bafana coach Broos told the media about changes in the squad.

“So, that means we had to change, and I had a lot of critics…I took players not only from the big teams but also from the small clubs.

ALSO READ I Darren Keet commits to Cape Town City

“But it needed some time, and it was nearly one year before we found what we wanted to have.

“From that time, it got better, we qualified for Afcon, and we started to play good games.

“But we also changed the style of SA football. We tried to play more direct, more vertical. We tried to have more movement in the team, and I think we succeeded.

ALSO READ I Sithole urges Bafana to bring A-game in a thriller vs. Morocco

“When you see us play today, there is a lot of movement in the team. A lot of depth. A lot of vertical passes, and we defend well.

“Tactically, I think we progressed also, and it means we did a very good job. It’s a pity that we are not in the final.”

BAFANA DESERVED TO BE IN THE FINAL – SAD BROOS SPEAKS

On the other hand, the outspoken manager claimed that his men deserved a chance to be in the Afcon final, Broos added that he is sad and disappointed.

“Football can be hard; when you see the performance of my team today [Wednesday] and then there are penalties and you lose the game, you are not in the final, it’s hard to accept that,” added Broos after Bafana’s loss to Nigeria.

ALSO READ I Bafana skipper Williams expects a guns blazing Morocco

“Because we played a very good game. I think we were the best team in the first half, we had the best chances. Nigeria didn’t have anything, nothing.

“Second half, maybe they had chances, and they could score, but we changed something tactical, but two minutes before the end of 90 minutes, we had three chances and if we scored there, we could be going to the final.

“That can happen in football. It is a big disappointment for everyone because we feel like we played a very good game.

“Not only today, but we played a very good Afcon.

“I’m proud of my players for what they did and performed not only today and I have to be proud as a coach.”