Hugo Broos demands more from Bafana Bafana stars as AFCON heads into business end

Bafana Bafana advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 with a 3–2 win over Zimbabwe, but head coach Hugo Broos is not fully satisfied with his team’s performances.

Amid defensive lapses and inconsistent play, striker Lyle Foster has provided a bright spot, scoring his second goal in three matches and showing his importance for the next stage. South Africa finished second in Group B behind Egypt, who claimed the top spot on seven points following a goalless draw against Angola in their final group match.

While Bafana only needed a draw to advance comfortably, Zimbabwe twice came back to level the score, exposing vulnerabilities in the defence and overall play that concerned the Belgian coach as he shifts focus to his next challenge.

Bafana will now face the runners-up from Group F, with Ivory Coast (4 points), Cameroon (4), and Mozambique (3) separated by just one point ahead of the final round of matches in that group, while Gabon has been eliminated, having yet to secure any points.

Broos acknowledged that, despite securing two wins and only one loss to Egypt (1–0), the overall performances have not fully met expectations.

“I am not happy with the way some of the players have been performing on the pitch, and this is something we need to work on,” Broos said after the match.

Coming into this tournament after a strong third-place finish in the previous AFCON, Bafana have had a target on their backs, and Broos believes the team must meet and exceed expectations set by past success.

“We have to be aware that the progression we made in the last two years does not guarantee that you will come onto the pitch to win a game," he said.

"I said before the tournament that this campaign will be tougher than the one from two years ago because everyone knows what a good team you are.

"We have to play every game with 100% of our talent and quality, and if we don’t do that, we will always be in trouble. Teams are motivated and trying to beat you, and you have to fight and be more concentrated.”

Foster, despite facing some criticism in the early parts of the tournament, has made a difference with his two goals so far, and Broos stressed the need for him to receive support to thrive as the tournament reaches its critical phase.

"You need support as a striker because when there is none, it becomes difficult to do something alone," he continued. “When the movement is good, then he can take advantage of that because he is a very good striker that is strong and quick, and if used well, he will always score.

“In the beginning of the game it was good, but then we started to play badly, and then it got difficult for Lyle. In the second half it was the same thing; there was movement around him and he took advantage of this because he is smart and knows where he needs to be.

"He then scores, so we have to do more of that in the next games. The passes have to be better, the focus has to be better, and then you can have good ball circulation and movements using the space that the opposition gives.”