Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has dismissed reports that he’s about to dump the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) bronze medallist, to coach the national team of Tunisia.
This after reports emerged from the north African team, linking Broos to the country that Bafana Bafana met in the group stages of AFCON and held them to a 0-0 draw.
Broos on Saturday night led Bafana Bafana to a third-place finish at AFCON with a 6-5 penalty shoot-out victory over Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday night in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams once again led from the front as he saved two penalties during the tense penalty shootout.
But the Belgian mentor said he’s not surprised by the reports, noting that there will be rumours linking him with many countries, especially having guided the team to the semifinals.
He went on to assure the nation that he was committed to Bafana Bafana.
“It’s normal when you have results as a coach, when you play a very good tournament, like for example players from us, when you play that there is an interest from other teams.
“For a player is the club, for a national coach, it’s a country.
I had that experience also when I won [AFCON] with Cameroon,” said Broos after the match with Congo.
He highlighted that he has not yet received any contacts from north Africa and will only leave when asked to do so by the football mother body, South African Football Association.
“I can say to you today, there’s nothing, really nothing.
If Hugo Broos is leaving South Africa, then it will be because the Federation decides to leave, that’s all.
I’m happy with my job, I’m happy with the team, not always happy with the media,” explained the coach.
Broos defended the team’s performance, saying it they were exhausted after playing more than 120 minutes and penalties in their last two matches, adding that he had to make some changes on the squad following injuries and a red card.
“We were not fresh but when you see the mentality in that group it is impressive.
The boys did well, they showed great mentality.
They tried to do what I asked, and I understand it was difficult.
It shows that if we have problems, we can count on those on the bench,” said the delightful coach.
Broos also praised the attitude of the players who were on the bench, adding that they encouraged and pushed those on the pitch to work harder.
He lamented the fact that most of Bafana Bafana’s last two matches had an extra day’s rest before meeting the team.
Despite the team’s third place finish at AFCON, Broos said there’s still more work to be done.
“We don’t have to think that everything is ok because there is still a lot of work to do.
But the basics are there.
Everyone knows now what is expected from them when they play for the national team,” said Broos.
Bafana Bafana last won a medal during the 2000 tournament co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Williams won the Golden Glove award, while Bafana Bafana also won the Fair Play Award at the end of AFCON on Sunday night.
The tournament was won by the host Ivory Coast, after they beat Nigeria 2-1.
