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In Group E alongside Mali, Tunisia and Namibia, South Africa returns to the AFCON after missing out in 2022. Relying on the backbone of Mamelodi Sundowns, Bafana Bafana are aiming to regain their place on the continent with Hugo Broos, who won the 2017 AFCON with Cameroon, at the helm. Sport News Africa tells you why South Africa will be the sensation of this edition.
Winner of the AFCON in 1996, runner-up in 1998 and third in 2000, South Africa has come a long way. With a desire to return to the forefront, they intend to make it known on Ivorian soil. Quarter-finalists in 2019, with a major victory in qualifying ahead of hosts Egypt, the team missed out on the AFCON 2021 in Cameroon. Since the arrival of Hugo Broos as coach, Bafana Bafana have shown great potential with a team that relies on the work of the local league.
Because Bafana Bafana rely on Mamelodi Sundowns
In the list of players selected to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations, 20 players play in the local league and only 3 away from home. Of these, 10 are from Mamelodi Sundowns. Like Egypt, South Africa relies on the competitiveness of its league to build its national team. Considered the best club team in Africa, Sundowns are winners of the African Football League and favourites to win the Champions League. The philosophy of Africa's Brazilians, as they are known, is carried over to the national team, with a seductive style of play based on technique and rapid transition. South Africa's plan for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations is to bring this model to the national team. By relying on this backbone of players evolving on the continent and particularly on the Mamelodi Sundowns core, Hugo Broos is preparing something that is likely to hurt Bafana Bafana's opponents.
Because Bross knows how to do it
If you want to achieve great things at the African Cup of Nations, you need not only a team, but also a coach capable of doing it and yes, Hugo Broos has what it takes. In his 23 games in charge of South Africa, the Belgian coach has won 12, drawn 7 and lost 4.The style of play is ambitious and the Bafana Bafana DNA is intact. If we go back in time, Hugo Broos has already surprised everyone.In Gabon in 2017, he led Cameroon to the title with a team made up of a number of youngsters.
While a number of senior players refused to join the national team, due to tensions with management, Hugo Broos relied on youngsters such as Ondoa and Ngadeu. He will be arriving in Côte d'Ivoire in the same frame of mind to achieve a similar feat once again, this time in the colors of South Africa.
