Following a thrilling 3-3 draw against Algeria in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Hugo Broos says Bafana Bafana should not be afraid of playing against any team in Africa.
South Africa closed off their Fifa Series with a much more convincing performance at a packed Nelson Mandela Stadium after their uninspiring 1-1 draw against Andorra last week.
The home side were the first to get their name on the scoreboard when Yassine Benzia opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.
No reason to fear any team in Africa
Bafana stormed back and equalised through midfield maestro Themba Zwane in the 34th minute, following a good exchange of passes with Mihlali Mayambela.
At the stroke of halt-time, Broos’ men took the lead through Zwane’s individual brilliance, when the Mamelodi Sundowns star scored his second goal of the match after dazzling past the defender and firing a curling shot with his left foot to beat goalkeeper Moustafa Zeghba.
The visitors restored their lead in the 65th minute through Iqraam Rayners, but his goal was cancelled in some spectacular fashion when Benzia completed his brace in the 70th minute with an acrobatic overhead kick.
After the match, Broos expressed how delighted he was with the performance of his team, saying Bafana have no reason to be afraid of going up against any team on the continent.
We played against a strong team
“What a game! It was a fantastic game from both teams, but the performance of South Africa was really good,” Broos told Safa Media.
“We played against a very strong team, but I do not think there was much difference between the quality of our game and the quality of the game in Algeria.
“That means we have progressed in the last few months.
“We already showed that in the Afcon [Africa Cup of Nations], and we did it again against Algeria. So, I don’t think we have to be afraid anymore of playing against any team in Africa.”
Bafana return to action in June when they resume their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
