Hugo Broos confident Bafana Bafana will be ready for AFCON 2025 opener after Ghana friendly

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos remains confident his side will hit top form in time for their opening match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, despite an unconvincing performance in their narrow friendly win over Ghana on Tuesday.

Bafana Bafana edged Ghana’s CHAN team 1-0 at the Dobsonville Stadium as part of their final preparations for the tournament in Morocco.

The hosts found it difficult to impose their usual style of play during the encounter, but a solitary goal from Sipho Mbule proved enough to secure victory.

After the match, Broos openly admitted that his team fell short of expectations in terms of performance.

“We didn’t really play a very good game, there was not so much movement in the team what we are used to, the passing was not good. So we still need a little bit work to be on the highest level for next week,” Broos told SABC 2.

The Belgian tactician suggested the looming start of AFCON may have affected his players’ approach, with caution creeping into their game.

“I’m certain that plays in the heads also that next week AFCON starts. The players are a little bit afraid to get injured or whatever. But again I expected a little bit more from my team today, a better game but that can happen,” he added.

Despite those concerns, Broos expressed optimism that Bafana Bafana will be fully prepared for their Group B opener against Angola on December 22.

“I remember two years ago it was Lesotho in the last game we played, so that gives us hope. I’m sure the boys will be ready for Angola,” he said.