Broos embraces Bafana's new Afcon status as contenders

HUGO Broos has admitted that Bafana Bafana will have a target on their back at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, thanks to their impressive showing at the previous edition of the biennial continental showpiece.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

South Africa’s senior national team defied the odds by finishing in third place in the Ivory Coast two years ago and will now go to Morocco next month among the favourites to win the title. The Belgian takes his squad into their final preparations with a friendly international against Zambia in Gqeberha at the weekend, intent on sending a message to their opponents.

“I want to win on Saturday. For me this is not a friendly,” Broos told media, at the beginning of their camp this week.

“For us it will be a little different to start the next AFCON. We are South Africa now.

"It was different last time when we were a team of South Africa. But now, with the performances and the results we had, the opponents will prepare for us a little differently than two years ago.”