Hugo Broos has warned that Bafana Bafana face a swift Afcon exit unless they improve their aggression and match management before their knockout clash against continental giants.
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has issued a stern warning to his squad despite securing a place in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16.
Following a narrow 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe, Broos expressed deep concern over his team’s inability to manage leads and their tendency to lose focus during critical match phases.
The coach noted that this lack of concentration was a recurring theme in their earlier fixtures against Angola and Egypt.
The Belgian tactician was particularly critical of the team’s perceived lack of physicality and tactical discipline.
He highlighted that senior players have struggled to replicate the form that earned South Africa a bronze medal two years ago.
With a knockout clash against powerhouses Ivory Coast or Cameroon looming in Rabat, Broos insisted that the current “soft” approach will result in an immediate exit if the players do not rediscover their competitive edge.
“This is something I am worried about because it happened again in this game and against Angola,” Broos said.
“Even in the first half against Egypt, we were soft and weak, we were not determined in duels and there was not aggression.”
He emphasized that the team’s past progression means opponents no longer fear them, adding: “If we don’t do that [play at 100%], we are always going to be in trouble.”