AFCON Hugo Broos Confident Bafana Bafana Could Still Make It Through After Defeat Against Morocco

Morocco claimed a 2-1 win over South Africa in the opening Group K match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Thursday.

The Atlas Lions secured their victory at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat thanks to second-half goals from Youssef En-Nesyri (51th) and Ayoub El Kaabi (88th) , with Bafana Bafana having claimed an early lead through Lyle Foster.

Coach Hugo Broos’ men made a bright start when Lyle Foster opened the scoring in the eighth minute. However, they were on the backfoot for their entire contest but the Belgian mentor was pleased with his side’s application.

No, not at all (the result we wanted). I thought we could win, then after the goal we received I was happy with one point, if you get a second goal so close to the end it’s disappointing.” Broos said after the game.

For sure we know what to do now in September. I was not – how can I say it – disappointed about the performance today. We will fight for it. We played against a very strong Moroccan team.

“So that was good. Let’s hope that we can do it in September twice and hopefully get two victories.”

Bafana had just 36% possession, five shots at goal and with one going on target. The intention to absorb pressure and play on the counter attack was clear from the onset and that’s how Foster broke through on goal to give his side the lead.

The South African men’s national team featured a couple of debutants, amongst them Sphephelo Sithole who was amongst Bafana’s best players on the night.

Also Read :  HUGO BROOS NAMES 23-MAN SQUAD FOR MOROCCO VS SOUTH AFRICA AFCON 2023 QUALIFIER

The 23-year-old, though, did appear to be struggling with injury for the majority of the game and coach Broos revealed his displeasure at conceding a late goal without ‘Yaya’ on the field even though they had asked him if he was okay at half time.

We were waiting ‘till the ball was out. But the ball was staying in and then we lost the ball in a very simple way (by Yusuf Maart). And after that, it was 2-1.” Explained Broos

We asked him during the half-time, he said ‘Yeah, no problem, no problem’. So okay, no problem.” The coach continued.

But you see then at a certain moment there is a problem and then you cannot change immediately. And as you play with 10, you concede the goal.”

Bafana’ chances at qualification chances are still intact after match day one. They will need to beat 144th-ranked Liberia home and away to all but guarantee themselves a chance at Afcon in Ivory Coast.


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