AFCON 2023: why Bafana Bafana are set to light up Ivory Coast
At this AFCON 2023, South Africa will win admirers with a squad made up of home-based players, mostly from Mamelodi Sundowns
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Winners of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996, runners-up in 1998 and third in 2000, South Africa have struggled to make an impact since. Keen to get back among the continent's leading sides, they intend to make their presence felt on Ivorian soil. Quarter-finalists in 2019, with a notable win over hosts Egypt to go through, they missed the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon. Since Hugo Broos took over as coach, Bafana Bafana have shown great potential, with a side built on the strength of the domestic league.
Because Bafana Bafana lean on Mamelodi Sundowns
Of the players picked for the Africa Cup of Nations, 20 play in the domestic league, with only 3 based abroad. Among them, 10 are from Mamelodi Sundowns. Like Egypt, South Africa rely on the strength of their league to build their national team. Regarded as the best club side in Africa, Sundowns are winners of the African Football League and favourites to win the Champions League. The philosophy of the "Brazilians of Africa", as they are nicknamed, carries over to the national team, with an attractive style based on technique and quick transitions. Making that model succeed with the national side is South Africa's project at this AFCON. Building on this core of players based on the continent, and in particular on the hard core from Mamelodi Sundowns, Hugo Broos is preparing something that could hurt the opponents of Bafana Bafana.
Read more on the same subject: AFCON 2023: the 23 Bafana Bafana players selected by Hugo Broos
Because Bross knows how to go about it
To go far at the AFCON, you need a good squad, but also a coach capable of getting the best out of it. And Hugo Broos has what it takes. In 23 matches in charge of South Africa, the Belgian coach has won 12, with 7 draws and 4 defeats. The football on show is ambitious and the DNA of Bafana Bafana is intact. Look back and Broos has sprung a surprise before. In 2017, in Gabon, he led Cameroon to the title with a team made up of several young players. With some senior players having refused to join the squad amid tension with the officials, Broos relied on youngsters such as Ondoa and Ngadeu. He will arrive in Ivory Coast with the same approach, looking to pull off such a feat again, this time with South Africa.