Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos remains unwavering in his focus as his team prepares for Wednesday night’s crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semifinal showdown against Nigeria in Cote d’Ivoire.
Broos, who led Cameroon to AFCON glory in 2017, faced a barrage of questions from journalists on Tuesday, with reminders of previous encounters against Nigeria. However, he exuded confidence in his squad’s abilities.
“Yes, we understand the challenge that lies ahead. We’re fully aware of the caliber of the Nigerian team, with their players plying their trade across Europe. While we acknowledge the past, this is a different scenario. We have a different set of players, a different team dynamic, and it’s a different AFCON. Anything is possible,” stated the Belgian tactician.
While Broos expressed satisfaction in reaching this stage of the tournament with his squad, he also delivered unfortunate news regarding Thapelo Maseko’s injury status.
“Sadly, due to a third-degree hamstring tear, Maseko is ruled out for the remainder of the tournament. However, he remains with us till the end. Given the time constraints involved in securing visas and travel arrangements at short notice, we have opted not to replace him. We will proceed with the squad we have,” Broos confirmed.
Captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, hailed as the hero of the quarter-final clash against Cape Verde for his stunning saves during the penalty shootout, deflected personal acclaim and emphasized the team effort.
“After witnessing the players’ relentless effort for about 130 minutes, it was my responsibility to step up. While I’m pleased with the outcome, I must stress that this victory was a collective effort. This sport is about teamwork, and reaching the semi-finals is a testament to our collective endeavor,” remarked Williams.
Aside from Maseko’s absence, the team reported no further injury concerns. Bafana Bafana is poised to take on Nigeria at the Stade De La Paix Bouake at 7 PM local time, with hopes running high for a victorious advancement to the AFCON final.
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