JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, breathed life back into their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a dominating 4-0 triumph over Namibia on Sunday, keeping their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages alive.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos acknowledged the pressure his team faced, emphasising the importance of securing a victory in the match.
“We knew we had to win the game today to have the chance to go through the group stage, so we were a bit nervous in the beginning of the game, but more and more and certainly after we scored the first goal, we were released. We played a good game,” Broos stated.
The coach admitted that the team adapted a more pragmatic style in contrast to their typical free-flowing and creative approach.
Broos justified the shift, citing the necessity to adopt a direct style following the previous defeat to Mali.
“Today is maybe not football of South Africa. We are a team that likes to play football, and sometimes in the most difficult moments. So, I think the boys learned their lesson. I’m happy for that, I think that we know also that it doesn’t always have to be with nice football, and that was the case today,” Broos explained.
Bafana Bafana got their goals from Percy Tau in the 14th minute from the penalty spot, Themba Zwane in the 25th and 40th minute before Thapelo Maseko sealed the victory with a goal in the 75th minute.
Attacking midfielder Themba Zwane, who delivered a stellar performance, scoring twice, was praised for the man of the match outing.
Broos commended Zwane for adjusting to the altered game plan.
“We know, and I said it already several times when Themba plays good, the team plays good, and we saw it today again. Even though it was not really his football because Themba is the man with the combination, he knew where to go, and we could always give the ball to him. Again, I’m very happy for the result but also about the way because this was not really South African football,” Broos added.
Bafana Bafana’s convincing victory has revitalized their AFCON campaign, and the team will be eager to build on this momentum in the upcoming matches, aiming for a spot in the knockout stages of the tournament.
