Hugo Broos downplays unbeaten run as Bafana Bafana chase AFCON glory

Records are meaningless without honours and silverware in football. This is a fact that Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos knows all too well as he strives to steer his side to only their second AFCON title in three decades.

Bafana have been on a high, extending their unbeaten run in official matches to 26 games – and 27 overall – after opening their continental showpiece with a 2-1 win over Angola at the Stade de Marrakech on Monday night.

The victory, inspired by goals from Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster, ensured that Broos – the longest-serving coach in the team’s history – celebrated his 50th match in charge in style.

Broos is no stranger to chasing the continent’s biggest prize. He won AFCON with Cameroon in 2017 by laying a strong foundation around players willing to fight for the jersey, rather than relying on superstars who felt entitled to call-ups or starting roles.

He has brought that same approach to Bafana, and it appears he could once again strike gold after also ending the team’s 21-year wait for a win in the opening match of the continental showpiece.

Once again, however, Broos is not reading too much into the purple patch. He knows it is meaningless if it does not result in silverware.

“This is a nice record,” Broos said. “But I don’t look at that. The more unbeaten matches we go, the closer we are to defeat – this is normal.

“It’s not that we are trying to reach a certain target of being unbeaten. We just want to win every game. That’s our philosophy, and we are trying to show that on the pitch, like we did in the second half. Again, it’s very nice and we are happy with it.

“But if you ask me whether I want to go more games unbeaten or win the AFCON, then you know the answer. So yes, it’s nice to have that record, but for me it’s the same – no more, no less.”

Broos knows his side are not yet a well-oiled machine capable of easily winning the continental showpiece, especially after failing to consolidate their lead with a convincing overall performance against Palancas Negras.

Ahead of their top-of-the-table Group B encounter against Egypt at the Stade d’Agadir – with both teams level on three points – Broos said the players know what is expected of them from start to finish.

“I think the players were conscious that if we go on like this, then we’ll lose the game,” Broos said. “You saw the reaction, but again, I know the guys and that will not happen anymore.

“It was lucky for us that we won that game, so that there was no damage. But that can’t happen anymore, and it won’t happen. This is not the kind of team that thinks things will be easy when they start a game.

“They showed that in the previous months. I am happy with the wake-up call and that we won the game.”

Broos was also pleased with the challenge Angola presented, believing it will help his players better navigate uncharted territory in the tournament.

“This is a question of what the players want,” Broos said. “When you start a tournament, it’s always about the players’ feelings. We played against a team that plays differently from the average team.

“It’s not typical African football. They play technical football with strong passing. Perhaps we were a little surprised after the goal and thought the job was done. We got a wake-up call, and I also woke them up at half-time. My voice was louder than usual.”