Broos calm amid injury crisis as Bafana eye crucial qualifiers

HUGO Broos’ nonchalance in the face of a situation that should have him pulling out strands of his silver hair is further indication of just how good a coach Bafana Bafana have got.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

The Belgian septuagenarian, who has restored South Africa to the top table of continental football, is on the verge of guiding the country back to the World Cup finals for the first time since 2010. But ahead of the penultimate round of qualifying, which sees African countries playing two matches each month, Broos finds himself forced to improvise, with injuries hampering his preparations. Having already announced the squad to face both Lesotho and Nigeria in Bloemfontein on Friday and next Tuesday respectively, the Africa Cup of Nations winner has had to make adjustments.

At the mandatory arrivals media conference at Dobsonville Stadium on Monday, Broos initially cut a frustrated figure as he announced the enforced changes.

“It's maybe one of the most difficult preparations I’ve had since I became coach of Bafana Bafana,” he explained.