Hugo Broos expresses confidence ahead of crucial clash with Morocco in AFCON 2023 round of 16
South Africa’s national football team coach, Hugo Broos, addressed members of the media on Monday, January 29, in a press conference preceding the highly anticipated clash with Morocco in the round of 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Acknowledging the significance of the upcoming match, Broos emphasized its do-or-die nature, stating, “It’s an important match for both teams. It’s either you win or you’re out.”
Despite recognizing Morocco’s stature as the top-ranked team in Africa and their exceptional performance in the recent World Cup, Broos conveyed a strong belief in his team’s ability to emerge victorious.
“In this AFCON, full of surprises, we defeated Morocco a year ago in Johannesburg. We believe in it; it is possible to beat Morocco,” asserted Broos, showcasing confidence in South Africa’s capabilities to secure a positive result.
Addressing the differences between the current Moroccan team and the one South Africa faced in the qualifiers, Broos noted, “There is a big difference between this Moroccan team and the one we faced. We proved things in June. But comparing the two matches is impossible.”
When questioned about Morocco’s FIFA ranking and recent performances, Broos refrained from discussing advantages, recognizing Morocco’s standing as the top team in the FIFA rankings.
He remarked, “Morocco is the leader of the FIFA rankings. Look at their results over the last two years. It’s the best team.”
Avoiding direct comparisons, Broos highlighted Morocco’s impressive fourth-place finish in the last World Cup but emphasized that the upcoming match would be a unique encounter.
“I don’t like to compare teams. Morocco is, I remind you again, 4th in the last World Cup. But tomorrow it will be another match,” concluded Broos, drawing attention to his past success with Cameroon in 2017.
