Hugo Broos Explains Why There’s No Need to Play More Than One Friendly Before AFCON

• Hugo Broos has come out to clear the air on Bafana Bafana playing just one friendly before starting the Africa Cup of Nations
• The Belgian tactician guided South Africa to back-to-back AFCON tournaments and finished third in the last edition
• Bafana Bafana fans also shared their views on Broos' idea of playing one friendly before travelling to Morocco

Bafana Bafana's head coach, Hugo Broos, has clarified why the team will play only one friendly ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

With the tournament just over a month away, South Africa is concluding its preparations at home. The squad secured a 3-1 victory over Zambia in Gqeberha on Saturday as part of its final tune-ups.

Bafana Bafana is drawn in Group B, opening their campaign against Angola on 22 December, facing Egypt on Boxing Day, and concluding the group stage against Zimbabwe three days later.

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South Africa is also preparing for next year's World Cup, after sealing qualification last month by beating Rwanda in their last qualifier.

Broos on playing just one friendly

After the Zambia game this weekend, Broos said he plans to schedule just one more match before heading to Morocco, as he does not see the need for additional games. He explained in the post-match press conference that the team has played enough matches against African sides over the past four years and does not require extra preparation against similar opponents.

Broos added that while World Cup preparations next year will differ, the focus now is on ensuring the team is at 100% for AFCON, aiming to avoid the slow start they had in the last AFCON.

Bafana Bafana is drawn in Group B alongside Angola, Egypt, and Zimbabwe, with the continental tournament kicking off on 21 December.

Here’s what fans are saying about Hugo Broos' comments on playing just one friendly before the AFCON.

Edo said:

"I agree. You play many friendlies before a tournament, you lose some, and boooooom, players lose confidence and supporters start doubting the team, and morale is affected. You win them, you become overconfident and complacent. Moreover, the more you play friendlies, the more you become an open book to the rivals."

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Tom D. Harry wrote:

"This is smart. By then, we will know who is in our group after the WC draw in December. I hope we look to arrange friendlies with teams around 15-35 in the world rankings. Good teams that will test us, but whom we can actually try and beat."

Zikhwama Zamadikazi shared:

"You remember the teams we chowed building up to 2010😂😂😂😂 Kanti, we bought the games😭😭😭 our expectations were so high Kanti nooo."

Thad Ehm commented:

"Next year, we will be facing his home country for a friendly. Facing the likes of Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Leandro Trossard will be a good test for Bafana."

GeehSport

"Yes, the timelines are different. All the qualifiers - for AFCON and the WC - are complete, so there's no competitive internationals ahead of the imminent tourney in Morocco now. But there's 6 months to the WC after that, so Bafana WILL need to play international friendlies.🏆"

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Mbule shares what Broos told Bafana

Briefly News earlier reported that Sipho Mbule shared what Broos told Bafana Bafana ahead of their friendly game against Zambia.

The Orlando Pirates midfielder was one of the best players in the game against the 2012 AFCON winners.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News