Hugo Broos has cautioned against labeling Bafana Bafana as AFCON favorites, insisting they must maintain focus to overcome a technical Angola side in their opening match.
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has dismissed the notion that South Africa are clear favorites as they prepare for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opener against Angola.
Despite growing expectations following a strong qualifying run, the Belgian tactician emphasized the difficulty of the upcoming tournament.
He noted that while internal confidence is high, the competitive landscape in Morocco will be significantly more demanding than previous editions.
Speaking ahead of Monday’s Group B clash in Marrakech, Broos warned that the Palancas Negras possess technical quality and a “new coach bounce” that makes them dangerous.
He stressed that his side must avoid complacency to ensure a positive start before facing group heavyweights Egypt.
Reflecting on the challenge, Broos remarked, “Maybe we are now among the favourites, but if you compare the teams in this edition with the previous one, you will see this tournament will be much tougher.”
The 73-year-old mentor remains confident in his squad’s evolution, citing their recent ability to match the continent’s powerhouses physically and tactically.
Broos believes the team has grown significantly since their 2023 campaign, yet he maintains that victory—not the margin—is the priority.
He concluded, “They will not give us presents, we will have to play on our highest level and winning against them is enough, we don’t have to think 2-0, 3-0.”