Ahead of Bafana Bafana’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier matches against Uganda and South Sudan, Hugo Broos says he had a successful meeting with the big-three team coaches Nasreddine Nabi, Jose Riveiro, and Manqoba Mngqithi.
Bafana are currently preparing for a long trip to East Africa, where they will go toe-to-toe with Uganda at the Mandela National Stadium on Friday night.
Bafana mentor makes meeting happen
Having previously expressed his desire to meet with all the Betway Premiership coaches, Broos confirmed to Sunday World that he spoke to the coaches of the big three, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns two weeks ago.
“I met with the three coaches from Pirates, Chiefs, and Sundowns. So, I think that the coaches can confirm that the meeting was very good between us. Everybody had to say what they had to say, and it was a very open discussion,” Broos said.
“And we were again convinced that [meeting] should happen with all the coaches. And I hope I can succeed regarding that after New Year – maybe at least before the end of May.
“I don’t know for the moment, but it will be very good to have all the Premiership coaches together so that we can talk to each other, that we can ask questions and address some issues regarding our football because it has been long overdue. But it was not my fault and not the coaches’ fault either.”
Making Afcon back-to-back a confidence booster
Bafana need one more win to cement their place in next year’s Afcon in Morocco and Broos has emphasised the importance of achieving that feat – saying it will put SA football on the map once again.
“Qualifying for the Afcon back to back will serve as a massive booster of confidence because it will be the first time that is happening in the history of South African football. So, we want to write that little bit of history for ourselves.
“To qualify for the Afcon again will also see the value of players increase, which will be a sign that we have good players and that is good for South African football.
“So, it’s very important to be there [at Afcon]. For us in general, as a Bafana Bafana team, it will give us confidence and confirmation that we have become a good team,” he added.
