FILE PHOTO: Bafana Bafana's Zakhele Lepasa celebrates after scoring their second goal during their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Morocco at FNB Stadium. PICTURE: IOL
0 
0 DURBAN: In the past, Bafana Bafana had coaches, who had vague ambitions.
Bafana Bafana started the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on a positive note, winning 2-1 against Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban this past Saturday.
Goals by Al Ahly’s Percy Tau and Mamelodi Sundowns’ Khuliso Mudau on both halves were enough for South Africa to see off Benin.
Although they won in an unconvincing fashion as they allowed Benin to creep back into the match Hugo Broos’ side managed to become the first team in Group C to pick up three points.
Under Broos, the national team seemed to have settled and comfortable with who they were and how they won matches. It is refreshing to have a coach whose ambitions transcend to the players as well and are translated into results, which is key as football is results-orientated.
The 71-year-old Belgian tactician wants to win and want to qualify for tournaments above everything else and he makes no secret about it. His ambition is what has been missing in the national team.
In the past, Bafana Bafana had coaches, who had vague ambitions under the guise of Vision 2018 or Vision 2022’. Now there’s ’ a coach with a vision to win today and is challenging his players and all Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs to be ambitious like him.
The 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner with Cameroon is not only bringing ambitions to the table he is also bringing a winning mentality that he is instilling in players.
Broos, who won three Belgian league titles and the aforementioned AFCON has transformed Bafana Bafana into a hard-to-beat unit. To highlight this fact since Broos took over Bafana Bafana have never lost at home be qualifiers or friendly matches. Simply put there’s no South African fan that went to the stadium and came home disappointed they lost since he took over.
Currently, the team is on a 12-match undefeated run, which includes seven wins and five draws. On the grandeur side of the results all in all, Broos, has been in charge of 21 matches: he has won 11, drawn seven and lost three. Important to note that COSAFA Cup matches are excluded as Broos is excused from the tournament.
Having qualified Bafana Bafana to the 2024 AFCON, Broos has shown he is the right man for the national team. He may not be everyone’s favourite human being or coach but he brings forth results and shouldn’t that be what matters the most? Bafana Bafana last qualified for the World Cup in 2002 and have failed to qualify on their own for almost two decades.
Broos and his men next take on Rwanda on Tuesday 21 November 2023 in a World Cup qualifier. A win in Rwanda would put the national team in a good place even though the road is still too long, Bafana Bafana supporters should dare to dream.
About Author
