Rwanda coach praises Bafana Bafana but urges youth integration for sustainable success

As the echoes of unbridled celebration in South Africa reverberated through the nation on Tuesday night, Rwanda’s coach, Adel Amrouche, offered words of encouragement and wisdom for the future of Bafana Bafana.

His comments come on the heels of Bafana Bafana’s impressive 3-0 victory over Rwanda in the final qualifying match held at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday evening, which solidified their World Cup qualification by topping Group C with a total of 18 points.

Despite his team’s elimination from World Cup contention, Amrouche took a moment to reflect on the importance of future planning for the national side. “I think Bafana are a good team,” he remarked, noting that South Africa has historically produced talented young players.

Amrouche urged the South African football authorities to start grooming the next generation of players, highlighting the significance of integrating fresh talent into the squad. He warned that the presence of “older players” in the current setup necessitates a transition plan to ensure the team’s longevity and success.

“You must start to prepare the youth for the future because without young players, you go nowhere,” he emphasised.

During the match, Bafana Bafana showcased their prowess with Thalente Mbatha opening the scoring early on, followed by Oswin Appollis doubling the lead before half-time. Evidence Makgopa secured the convincing victory with a header in the second half, underscoring the team’s growing confidence on the pitch.

This victory was particularly pivotal because South Africa’s berth at the World Cup depended on Nigeria’s concurrent win over Benin, making their success even sweeter.

Praising Hugo Broos, Bafana’s coach, as well as the team’s journey through the qualifiers, Amrouche expressed his belief that there is a significant responsibility that comes with representing Africa on the world stage.

“Sometimes people lose hope, this is the magic of football… Now I think the responsibility is big for them because when you play for the continent and for the country, you must give more than what we saw in this qualification,” he commented, emphasising the importance of raising the bar on the global stage.

With the World Cup approaching, Bafana Bafana’s preparations will need to be meticulous. Amrouche’s advice resonates as a reminder that while the current squad has shown promise, the cultivation of new talent is essential for long-term success.

He hopes that South Africa not only maintains its competitive edge but also inspires the next generation of players from the continent.