By Mark Ogagan
South Africa coach, Hugo Broos and midfielder Sphephelo Sithole answered questions from journalists on Monday as interest in Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 showdown against Morocco reached fever pitch in Côte d’Ivoire.
Both countries square up in a potentially explosive Round of 16 encounter at the Stade Laurent Pokou, San Pedro on Tuesday night.
“We are well prepared. Morocco are coming from a great World Cup run in Qatar and being the best in Africa, so we are aware of what we are up against,” Broos said. “We beat them in Johannesburg (in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at a vociferous FNB Stadium on 17 June 2023), and that gives us hope and confidence. But this is a different time and tournament, and some players are different too. So we cannot think for a minute that it will be the same, certainly not.”
A lot will be at stake for the two sides, with injuries having taken their toll and could impact on the way they finally line up at Stade Laurent Pokou.
Broos will be leaning on the wealth of experience in the team, knowing that the skills and knowledge that have been acquired by his players while playing on the continent will count in their favour. They will need this mentality to remain calm and composed to be able to execute their game plan.
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