Hugo Broos expects tougher challenge as Bafana Bafana face Congo Brazzaville again
South Africa’s national football team coach, Hugo Broos, has cautioned his players not to rest on their laurels ahead of Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier against Congo Brazzaville. Despite Bafana Bafana’s commanding 5-0 victory in their previous encounter just days ago, Broos emphasized that the upcoming match should be treated as an entirely new challenge.
The Belgian coach remains wary of a more determined and resilient Congo Brazzaville side, who will be fighting to keep their qualification hopes alive in front of their home crowd at the 17,000-seater Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat in Brazzaville.
With a loss set to eliminate the Congolese from the qualification race, Broos is expecting a more competitive and high-intensity contest.
“We know what to expect against Congo Brazzaville,” Broos said.
If they lose tomorrow, their qualification for AFCON is over.
We are going to play against a team that may be different and more motivated than they were before.
Tomorrow is a new game.”
Broos is keen for his players to forget the emphatic win in Gqeberha and approach the match as if they are meeting Congo for the first time.
The coach is aware that the stakes will be higher this time around for the Central African team, and he expects them to come out with a stronger, more aggressive performance.
“We have to approach the match with the right mentality, just like we did in the first leg.
But we must not get complacent and think the game will be the same.
They will fight for everything, and we need to be ready,” he added.
Broos has been consistent in his message of maintaining focus, especially given the unpredictability of football and how quickly results can turn.
Although South Africa sits comfortably after the first-leg triumph, the coach is keen to ensure that his squad does not drop its guard at such a critical stage in their AFCON qualification campaign.
Having worked with the group for several months, Broos has emphasized the importance of unity, mentality, and consistency.
His squad has shown quality and cohesion, but the upcoming fixture will be another test of their ability to adapt under pressure and in challenging conditions.
Congo Brazzaville, on the other hand, will be desperate to make up for their heavy defeat and will likely employ a more aggressive strategy at home.
With everything on the line for them, the Congolese are expected to come out fighting from the start, and South Africa will need to stay disciplined and focused to avoid any potential upsets.
Bafana Bafana heads into the match with a clear objective—secure the points needed to solidify their place at AFCON 2025.
with qualification within reach, Broos and his team are determined to finish the job, knowing that a win or even a draw will push them closer to securing their spot in Morocco next year.
South African fans will be hopeful that their side can replicate the form that saw them dominate the first encounter, while Broos and his players remain focused on getting the job done in Brazzaville.
