Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos said the team is aware that their semi final opponents in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, Nigeria, are favourites.
Broos said based on previous encounters between the two nations in the tournament, Nigeria has always outperformed South Africa.
He highlighted that the team is motivated that it has not reached such a level in more than 20 years.
The coach was speaking his pre-semifinal during a media briefing in Bouake ahead of this evening clash between the former champions.
“For many people it was unexpected, but we did it. Its almost 20 years ago that South Africa played the semifinal, even more so when last we played the final. We play a very good team, number six in the Africa ranking, with a lot of players who play abroad. We don’t fear them, but we know that there are good players on their team.
“But again, those were things that were also said about Morocco, and we won,” said Broos.
The coach highlighted that they have a plan to dismantle Nigeria, and they’re wary about their defence too.
Broos announced that the team’s ‘super sub’ Thapelo Maseko, will not play part in the tournament following a muscle injury and will not be replaced.
“He has a grade 3 muscle injury, so the tournament is over for him. But he will stay with us, he won’t go to South Africa, and we won’t replace him. There are problems with a visa and a flight. The Super Eagles, as Nigeria national soccer team is popularly known, has dominated Bafana Bafana since it was readmitted into the international soccer fraternity. “
They have won seven, drawn five and lost two of 14 clashes, and knocked out Bafana Bafana in the 2019 tournament.
“Despite this record, Captain Ronwen Williams, said the team is unfazed. Stats don’t play the game. There were so many stats that were against us in this tournament, and we proved that they didn’t play the match. What happened in the past, we can’t change, but what we can change is tomorrow’s results and performance,” said Williams.
He praised the team for working hard to reach the last four of the tournament, despite criticism from back home and after losing the first group match to Mali.
“We’re just proud as the team to be in the semi-final of AFCON. We’ve worked hard in the past few years, we come a long way as a country and squad. Not so many people believed in us, but we believed in ourselves and what we have done in the last few years, we’ve shown that it is possible, we’re looking forward to the game,” explained the captain.
The match will kick-off at 19:00 South African time.
