South Africa coach Hugo Broos proudly celebrated the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations semi-final qualification of his side after years of doubt surrounding Bafana Bafana.
Broos successfully guided the 1996 champions past Cape Verde on penalties on Saturday to secure a place in the final four against Nigeria.
The Belgian coach believes that this achievement has the potential to uplift South African football, especially after many had already dismissed their chances before the start of the tournament.
“Many people in South Africa did not have faith in this team, but we believed, and the players believed in themselves,” Broos proclaimed following the quarter-final victory.
“Reaching the semi-finals is a major boost for South African football, which has faced challenges in recent years.”
Broos specifically commended goalkeeper Ronwen Williams for his heroics during the penalty shootout, which were instrumental in the team’s triumph.
“When you have a keeper who saves four penalties, it’s not luck. He was the man of the match today,” Broos praised Williams.
The coach also acknowledged the formidable task that awaits South Africa in the face of a star-studded Nigeria side, boasting players such as Ademola Lookman.
However, he emphasized that his team will be prepared for Wednesday’s clash after dispelling previous doubts about their quality.
“The semi-final match against Nigeria’s top players will be challenging, but we have nothing to lose at this point,” Broos affirmed.
“The players will recuperate and prepare, with a key focus on staying composed.”
After suffering years of struggle, South Africa is once again beginning to see brighter possibilities, thanks to Broos’ leadership and confidence in the team’s abilities.
