Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says his first training session in France exuded brilliance, despite about 15 hours of travel, and his charges put up the kind of display he would like to see when they face Guinea and Les Bleus on Friday and Tuesday respectively.
“I don’t expect a great result but I expect quality, and that is what I saw yesterday at training. They understand the type of competition they’re up against and know that they will need to fight, because we know what France can do, come on, they are the best.”
Bandile Shandu and Goodman Mosele arrived after training on Tuesday and are present in camp, while Lyle Foster was the first internationally-based player to arrive in the fold. Athenkosi Mcaba, Terrence Mashego, Fagrie Lakay, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Victor Letsoalo are still to report for duty.
Broos says it is special that his family will get to witness him in his home country pitch side at the helm of a team he took over as coach last year. “It is a moment of pride to be able to play in Belgium with Bafana and have them there – that is quite special and I’m honored that it all happened the way it did.”
Broos says the building phase of the team is long gone, and that he is now at a point where he needs to hit the acceleration level needed to be a part of an Africa Cup of Nations, with qualifiers due to get underway less than two months away.
He also believes that as much as the focus is on the France game, Guinea are not to be underestimated and the level of football they play would need South Africa be on their toes.
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